The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced plans to mobilise long-term capital to close Nigeria’s infrastructure and sectoral funding gaps, with agriculture positioned as a key beneficiary of the reforms.
The Director General of the SEC, Emomotimi Agama, disclosed this in a New Year message issued in Abuja, outlining the Commission’s strategic focus for 2026.
According to him, the capital market will play a central role in financing critical sectors such as agriculture, power, housing, transportation, and digital infrastructure.
Agama stated that the Commission would prioritise the issuance of infrastructure bonds, green bonds, municipal bonds and sector-focused investment funds to attract both domestic and international investors.
A major highlight of the SEC’s plan is the promotion of agribusiness financing through innovative capital market instruments.
The Commission intends to support the listing of agribusiness firms and create tailored windows for agricultural cooperatives and value-chain companies.
According to Agama, this approach will make it easier for farmers, processors, and agribusinesses to access long-term funding while reducing the risks traditionally associated with agricultural investment.
Through commodity exchanges, agricultural investment trusts, and commodities-linked financial instruments, the SEC will improve price stability, enhance food security, and give Nigerians the opportunity to invest directly in the agricultural economy.
Beyond agriculture, the SEC plans to deepen investment in critical infrastructure such as roads, power, rail, housing, and digital systems.
Agama revealed that new infrastructure bonds and green energy instruments would be introduced to attract patient capital into these sectors.
He added that the Commission would support power sector growth through project-backed securities and public-private investment vehicles to improve electricity generation, transmission, and renewable energy adoption.
The SEC also plans to review its regulatory framework to encourage listings from small and medium-scale enterprises, particularly in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, automotive production, and value-added goods.
By improving access to long-term financing, the Commission aims to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imports, stimulate industrial growth, and strengthen the “Made in Nigeria” brand.
Agama noted that the SEC’s broader vision is to reposition Nigeria’s capital market as a solution-driven platform for economic transformation.
“As we begin a new year, we are not just turning a page but redefining the purpose of the Nigerian capital market,” he said.
“Our goal is to make it a catalyst for sustainable growth, job creation, and national development.”
Source: Business Day
Image Credit: Tribune Online
