Nigeria: Getting back on the road

After so many years of gloom is there at last a glimmer of light in Nigeria? Following February's presidential election, the country's prospects for inward investment and economic stability have seldom looked brighter. Recent activity in the capital market may hint at economic improvement ahead. But fearsome problems remain and fast-track growth is still some way off. Philip Moore reports

A SUPPLEMENT TO EUROMONEY/APRIL 1999: NIGERIA

A step in the right direction

In the past, for every step forward, Nigeria has taken two steps back. The difference now, say Lagos-based bankers who describe themselves as “cautious optimists”, is that the recent presidential election suggests that Nigeria is finally making some progress.

Barring any monumental upheavals, the country will on May 29 return to civilian rule for the first time since 1993. In February’s presidential election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by the former military ruler General Olusegan Obasanjo, amassed almost 63% of the vote.

Access intelligence that drives action

To unlock this research, enter your email to log in or enquire about access