AFC and NGX Boost Nigeria’s Capital Market Capacity to Fund Infrastructure Projects
Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Africa’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, and Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), the country’s sustainable capital market champion, have joined forces to strengthen Nigeria’s market capacity for financing infrastructure projects. The collaboration culminated in a two-day workshop in Lagos, aimed at equipping financial professionals with the technical skills needed to mobilize capital for critical development projects.
Held on November 17–18, the program brought together regulatory authorities, institutional investors, project sponsors, and financial institutions. Participants explored project structuring, risk allocation, and innovative financing instruments such as green bonds, infrastructure REITs, blended finance, and partial risk guarantees—tools that can help channel both domestic and international capital toward sustainable infrastructure.
Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit is a growing concern, projected to reach $2.3 trillion by 2043, with some estimates suggesting it could approach $3 trillion. Recognizing this urgent need, AFC and NGX designed the workshop to foster innovative financing solutions and build the local expertise required to structure complex, long-term projects that can attract patient capital and support economic growth.
Banji Fehintola, Executive Board Member and Head of Financial Services at AFC, emphasized the importance of local capacity: “Closing the continent’s funding gap requires robust market structures and skilled professionals who can deliver bankable, sustainable infrastructure solutions. Our partnership with NGX demonstrates that Nigeria’s capital markets can play a pivotal role in mobilizing domestic resources for long-term development.”
Jude Chiemeka, CEO of NGX, added that developing technical expertise across the market is critical. “Through NGX X-Academy, we are equipping market participants with the knowledge to manage infrastructure assets that meet both local and global investment standards. Collaborating with AFC ensures that Nigeria can attract and deploy patient capital at scale, creating tangible financing solutions for the country’s infrastructure needs.”
source: Business day