Business Outlook: NGX Pushes Capital Market Reform, Food Costs Rise, Global Shares Gain

By Ifeyinwa Ike

The Nigerian Exchange Group has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria to place capital market development at the center of its broader economic reforms, saying stronger coordination with monetary authorities is essential for long-term growth and investment stability.

NGX Group Chief Executive Officer, Temi Popoola, said closer collaboration between the capital market and the central bank would help deepen funding opportunities for businesses and strengthen confidence in the financial system.

The call comes as investors continue to track inflation, interest rates and liquidity trends across the economy. Market watchers say a stronger capital market could give companies more access to long-term funding and ease pressure on bank borrowing.

Despite recent volatility linked to macroeconomic conditions, the Nigerian equities market has remained active in recent weeks, with stakeholders stressing that policy coordination will be key to sustaining investor confidence and market expansion.

In another development, fresh data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows that the average cost of maintaining a healthy diet in Nigeria rose by 12.4 percent year-on-year in February 2026.

The report puts the daily cost of a healthy diet at N1,513 per adult, a development analysts link to persistent food inflation and higher transportation expenses.
Economists warned that the rising cost of food may continue to squeeze household budgets, particularly for low-income earners.

The trend is also raising concerns about nutrition and affordability, while businesses in the food and retail sectors are watching closely for possible changes in consumer demand.

On the international scene, global stock markets climbed as investors responded positively to signs of progress in peace talks between the United States and Iran.

European shares rose to more than two-week highs, while technology stocks gained support from continued investor enthusiasm around artificial intelligence.

Oil prices remained unstable, though easing fears over possible disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz helped improve market sentiment.

Analysts said markets are currently balancing optimism over diplomacy with lingering worries about inflation, energy prices and the direction of global interest rates.

They also noted that geopolitical developments in the Middle East will remain a major factor shaping oil and equity markets in the coming weeks.