Trading on the Nigerian Exchange has gathered further momentum in 2026, with shares worth ₦7.82 trillion changing hands by October 16, as the market’s benchmark index climbed 59.07 per cent since the beginning of the year.
The latest figures, released by Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), show that trading value has risen by approximately 74 per cent compared with the ₦4.50 trillion recorded over the corresponding period in 2025. The total market capitalisation of listed companies stood at ₦160.73 trillion.
The performance comes after a strong 2025, when the main share index advanced 51.19 per cent and the value of shares traded more than doubled to ₦5.96 trillion. Brandspur Brand News reports that the exchange has now received the Africa’s Best Exchange award at the Euromoney Markets Awards 2026, recognising its performance during the previous year.
Foreign investor participation also improved, reaching 20.77 per cent in November 2025, compared with 15.25 per cent earlier in the period cited by Euromoney. The figures point to increased activity in the Nigerian equities market, although they do not establish how much of the recent rally has been driven by foreign investment.
NGX Group said its digital investment platform, NGX Invest, helped facilitate more than ₦2.8 trillion in capital raised during the recent banking recapitalisation exercise. By September 2026, the platform was accessible through more than 180 channels, including stockbrokers, banks, financial technology companies and WhatsApp.
The exchange also highlighted Nigeria’s transition to a T+1 settlement system in June 2026. Under the arrangement, securities transactions are settled one working day after the trade, reducing the time required to complete transactions compared with the previous settlement cycle.
Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NGX Group, Temi Popoola, said the award reflected the organisation’s efforts to strengthen market infrastructure, expand digital access and improve the ability of businesses to raise capital.
The group also cited its NGX Net-Zero Programme, which supports Nigerian companies working towards climate-related targets. More than 50 companies have engaged with the initiative, while 19 have joined as community members.
The award recognises NGX’s performance in 2025, but the latest trading figures show that the market’s upward momentum has continued into the current year. With market capitalisation at ₦160.73 trillion and trading activity above the previous year’s comparable level, the exchange is seeking to build on that performance through technology, wider investor access and stronger links with other African markets.
