E-Financial
Nigeria Week Ahead: Foreign Exchange Reserves, Fed and BoE in Focus

By Lukman Otunuga, FXTM Research Analyst
Nigeria will unveil updates on its latest foreign exchange reserve figures in the week ahead, amid renewed optimism over the progress of US-China trade talks. Investors will be keeping a close eye to see whether the nations foreign exchange reserves have increased in April given how WTI oil prices peaked above $66.00 last week before tumbling lower. Sentiment towards the Nigerian economy is likely to receive a boost should if reserves meet or exceed the $47 billion expectations.
Asian currencies gaining against softer Dollar following US Q1 GDP report
Over in the FX markets, Asian currencies are generally pointing higher in Monday trade, after the US Dollar softened following the release of its Q1 GDP report. The economic print surpassed expectations, with 3.2% annualized growth for the first quarter of 2019, but the impressive headline reading failed to assuage the demands of Dollar buyers, as US consumer spending slowed for a third straight quarter, indicating that underlying domestic demand is waning. More US personal income and spending data will be released later today, which should help investors gain further insights into the primary driver of the US economy, and more softness in consumer expenditure will be seen as a risk for further weakness in the Dollar in the near-term.
Will the Dollar Index resume its climb this week?
A slowdown in US consumer spending might be used as a reason for the Federal Reserve to delay further interest rate increases during its policy meeting scheduled for this week, even as Fed Funds Futures continue to point to more than a 50% chance of a US interest rate cut by October. In the immediate term however, investors could use Monday’s release of more inflation numbers to test the central bank’s data-dependent stance.
The Dollar Index might have slipped lower from its 2019 high last week, but it could still find reason to climb back above the 98 handle, should April’s US non-farm payrolls report due on Friday beat the 185,000 jobs that markets are expecting to be added. Continued job creation in the United States should help allay concerns over the momentum of consumer spending in the world’s largest economy.
Gold steady above $1,284 as global investors await key economic data
Concerns over the broader global economic slowdown will be allayed, should Europe’s Q1 GDP and China’s PMI both show signs of stabilizing when the respective datasets are announced on Tuesday. However, any fresh reminders of soft patches in the global economy following the disappointing data out of both Germany and South Korea last week should encourage some risk to be taken off the table, which should help the appeal of Gold in the near-term.
However, my view is that it might require a string of dismal economic indicators to bring Gold back above the psychological $1,300 mark and reverse the bearish trend seen in Bullion since late-March.
Oil falls away from 2019 high after Trump pressures OPEC to lower prices
Brent futures have dropped below the $72 mark, after tumbling late last week on the back of US President Donald Trump’s claim that he personally “spoke to” OPEC to lower Oil prices. The steep decline in prices comes just days after the US administration stated that sanction waivers on Iran’s Oil will end later this week, which initially sparked a rally in the value of Oil on the hopes of tighter supplies.
However, uncertainty may prevail over how strictly these waivers will be imposed on Iran and whether other producers, like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, will be able to fill the void of a reported 1 million barrels of Oil per day by the time the waivers expire. With the broader narrative of resilient demand and tighter supply in the market encouraging investors to buy Oil, prices can still find the impetus to resume the uptrend seen so far in 2019
E-Financial
SEC Alerts Public on Silverkuun, Trending Dubious Investment Schemes

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned the public against investing in unregistered investment schemes, including Silverkuun Investment Cooperative Society/Silverkuun Limited.
In a circular issued in Abuja, yesterday, the commission said its attention had been drawn to the activities of these entities, which falsely present themselves as investment advisers and fund managers in the Nigerian capital market.
“The attention of the Securities and Exchange Commission has been drawn to the activities of Silverkuun Investment Cooperative Society/Silverkuun Limited which holds itself out as an Investment Adviser/Fund Manager.
“The Commission hereby informs the public that Silverkuun Investment Cooperative Society/Silverkuun Limited is not registered to operate in any capacity in the Nigerian Capital Market.”
SEC advised the public to refrain from engaging with Silverkuun Investment Cooperative Society/Silverkuun Limited or its representatives in respect of any business in the Nigerian capital market.
“The Commission uses this medium to reiterate that transacting in the Nigerian Capital Market with unregistered and unregulated entities exposes investors to financial risk including fraud and potential loss of investment.
“The investing public is therefore reminded to verify the status of companies and entities offering investment opportunities on the Commission’s portal before transacting with them,” the SEC added.
Dr. Emomotimi Agama, director-general of the SEC, recently warned that the Commission would not hesitate to shut down the operations of such unregistered entities while also ensuring that the promoters are made to face the full weight of the law.
Agama said, “we will shut down their operations and the promoters will be made to face the full weight of the law.
“In a major reform, ISA 2025 officially brings digital assets under the SEC’s regulatory purview, defining them as securities and mandating registration for all virtual asset service providers (VASPs) and digital asset exchanges. This development aims to close the regulatory vacuum that has allowed many Ponzi-style platforms to thrive under the guise of cryptocurrency and digital finance.”
Agama also emphasized the Commission’s education-focused strategy to combat fraud through podcasts, digital campaigns, and the introduction of capital market literacy in schools and universities, the SEC aims to equip Nigerians with the knowledge to detect and avoid dubious investments.
E-Financial
Africa Cross-border Payments Set to Hit $1 trillion by 2035

Africa’s cross-border payments market is on track to hit $1 trillion by 2035, according to a new report by venture capital firm Oui Capital. Titled “Africa’s Cross-Border Payment Landscape—a deep dive into the systems, players, and shifts shaping Africa’s cross-border payment flows,” the report states that the market is currently valued at $329 billion and growing at a compound annual growth rate of 12%.
It identifies Africa’s booming digital adoption, increasing intra-African trade, and a surge in mobile money usage as the key growth drivers.
Despite the impressive growth, the report highlights systemic inefficiencies.
“Legacy rails, double currency conversions, and fragmented regulations still siphon billions in hidden costs,” Oui Capital states, noting that the continent continues to have the highest global remittance costs, averaging 7–8%.
However, digital innovation is helping reshape the landscape. Mobile money is now a key channel, with 30% of Sub-Saharan remittances flowing through mobile wallets.
In 2022, Africa accounted for 66% of global mobile money transaction value, demonstrating the rapid formalisation of what was once a predominantly informal cash ecosystem.
Oui Capital sees significant investment potential in addressing these inefficiencies. “Infrastructure plays—interoperable API layers, decentralised FX liquidity pools, and PAPSS integrations—represent $10 billion-plus opportunities,” the report says.
The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System is one such initiative pushing for local currency settlements and reduced reliance on USD/EUR clearing, which presently adds around $5 billion in annual costs.
According to the report, cryptocurrencies and Stablecoins are emerging as promising alternatives, cutting remittance costs by up to 60% in markets with clear regulations.
“Fintech APIs are already pushing fees as low as 1.5–3%,” the report notes.
Still, the venture capital firm warns that challenges persist as only 55% of African jurisdictions allow full electronic KYC, limiting the scalability of fintech solutions.
The report urges founders to go beyond peer-to-peer transfers by embedding services like lending and insurance.
“Africa’s payments race is now a scale game. Those that solve for liquidity, compliance and cost will define the continent’s digital trade backbone over the next decade,” it concludes.
E-Financial
SANEF, CIBN Partner to Expand Agency Banking Certification

Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria has expanded its Agency Banking Certification Programme through a tripartite collaboration between the Institute, FIC, and SANEF Limited.
This partnership according Prof. Pius Deji Olanrewaju, President/Chairman of Council the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN, is timely and strategic, “as we aim to broaden the reach of the certification across Nigeria’s agent banking sector. With SANEF’s deep integration in the financial inclusion ecosystem and established relationships with leading super agents, we are confident that this collaboration will strengthen the quality and visibility of the programme.
“The goal is clear, to enhance professionalism among agent bankers, support the national financial inclusion strategy, and contribute to building trust and integrity within this growing segment of the financial services sector. This collaboration presents an excellent opportunity for further implementation of the competency framework for the banking industry in Nigeria”.
He noted that the collaboration among others is part of his LEGACY agenda which highlights the multifaceted role of financial institutions in shaping Nigeria’s economic future.
The letter C in the LEGACY agenda refers to Competence in the banking and Finance industry, which is a very crucial factor in the banking and finance sector. Competent individuals in this industry are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively manage financial resources. Individuals with expertise in this field can contribute to the growth and stability of the economy.
Mrs. Uche Uzoebo, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Shared Agency Network Expansion Facilities, SANEF, described the memorandum of Understanding, MoU, as a visionary partnership that seeks to expand Financial Inclusion through Agent banking training, Financial Literacy and knowledge impartation, an objective that forms a key pivot of what SANEF represents.
“Over the years, SANEF, in strong collaboration with our key stakeholders, Banks and Licenced Super-Agents/Mobile Money Operators and other Financial Service Providers, have continued to deepen the frontiers of Financial Inclusion and agent bank. Financial Literacy and training have remained a key part of this objective.
“This MOU ceremony is a fulfillment of a shared vision through the expansion of Agent Banking, Financial Literacy, capacity building, thought leadership, training and competency.
She further explained that the agreement provides a training structure with well-curated and knowledge filled training modules and materials that will deepen the knowledge and capacity in agent banking.
“It will go ahead to deepen and expand the knowledge and capacity of all participants that will take part in this training and we believe that with the quality and cooperation of all parties present, this very important objective of impartation of knowledge and thought leadership, grooming and training minds to be empowered and learned and contributing our quota to nation building and be a better place,” she added.
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