December 18, 2025
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Olayemi Cardoso, on Monday reassured global investors of Nigeria’s commitment to macroeconomic stability, transparent markets and policy discipline, as he engaged senior business leaders in Washington, D.C.
Cardoso spoke at the U.S.–Nigeria Executive Business Roundtable, where he outlined the CBN’s reform priorities amid heightened global economic uncertainty, stressing that rules-based economic management and predictable policy frameworks remain critical to restoring confidence in the Nigerian economy.
According to the CBN governor, reforms in the foreign-exchange market have been central to stabilisation efforts, with measures aimed at improving liquidity, strengthening price discovery and restoring market confidence.
He said the adoption of orthodox monetary policy has reinforced the CBN’s focus on price stability, while tighter financial-sector oversight is helping to safeguard systemic resilience.
Cardoso also highlighted ongoing banking-sector reforms, noting that strengthening capital buffers, improving governance standards and enhancing risk management are essential to supporting sustainable economic growth.
He added that the modernization of Nigeria’s payments system is improving efficiency, expanding financial inclusion and supporting the smooth functioning of the economy.
The roundtable, convened by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-Africa Business Center, provided a platform for Cardoso to engage directly with U.S. institutional investors and corporate executives on macroeconomic stabilisation, regulatory clarity and opportunities to scale bankable projects across priority sectors of the Nigerian economy.
Discussions also focused on deepening commercial ties between Nigeria and the United States, particularly in sectors where reforms and clearer regulatory frameworks could unlock long-term private capital.
Commenting on the engagement, President of the U.S.-Africa Business Center, Ms. Kendra Gaither, said investor sentiment is increasingly shaped by policy credibility and consistency.
“What investors are responding to today is clarity, clear rules, credible reforms and a seriousness of purpose,” Gaither said. “Nigeria’s message is increasingly one of discipline and opportunity, and that matters in a global economy seeking stability and predictability.”
The Washington engagement forms part of Cardoso’s broader push to communicate the CBN’s reform agenda to global markets, as Nigeria works to reposition itself as a stable and attractive destination for long-term investment despite persistent global economic headwinds.