Stanbic IBTC Hosts 2026 Nigeria Business Summit on Trade

The 2026 Nigeria Business Summit, hosted by Stanbic IBTC, aimed to discuss central trade expansion and sustainable economic growth. The summit took place over two days and brought together industry leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders from various sectors.

Keynote speaker Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, stressed the necessity for Nigeria to reposition itself as an export-driven economy to unlock its potential as a leading exporter. He noted that Nigeria's GDP growth, currently around four percent, remains below the levels needed to significantly reduce poverty.

Edun highlighted ongoing reforms, including improvements in foreign reserves and non-oil revenue, to renew investor confidence. The summit also focused on the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors, particularly in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which account for 90 percent of businesses.

Other discussions included sectors like agriculture, renewable energy, and the impact of artificial intelligence on business growth.