…trade deals rise 28.61%
The naira closed April 2026 on a marginally stronger note as liquidity in Nigeria’s foreign exchange (FX) market rose to about $10 billion, slightly above the level recorded in March, according to data published by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
CBN data showed that total FX turnover stood at $10 billion in April, compared to $9.92 billion in March, reflecting a modest increase of 0.8 percent month-on-month.
Trading activity strengthened significantly during the period, with total deals rising to 7,889 in April, representing a 28.61 percent increase from 6,134 trades recorded in March.
A breakdown of the figures indicates that the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) accounted for the bulk of transactions, recording 5,795 deals valued at $8.14 billion. This represents a 28.18 percent rise in deal volume compared to 4,521 trades in March, although turnover declined slightly by 0.6 percent from $8.19 billion.
Read also: Naira ends week-long loss streak as liquidity improves
The interbank segment also recorded strong growth, with trade deals rising by 29.82 percent to 2,094 in April from 1,613 in March. Turnover in the segment increased by 7.5 percent to $1.86 billion, up from $1.73 billion in the previous month.
At the close of trading on April 30, the naira appreciated by N3.76 against the dollar at the NFEM, ending the month at N1,374.94 compared to N1,378.70 at the beginning of April, representing a gain of 0.27 percent.
In the parallel market, the local currency also strengthened, appreciating by N10 to close at N1,400 per dollar, a 0.7 percent gain from its opening level of N1,410.
Despite the improved liquidity conditions, Nigeria’s external reserves declined during the period, falling by $810 million or 1.65 percent to $48.37 billion as of April 29, from $49.18 billion at the start of the month.
Speaking on the development, Olayemi Cardoso, governor of the CBN, said the decline in reserves is not a cause for concern, noting that it reflects normal market dynamics in a more liberalised FX system.
According to him, Nigeria’s reserve position remains strong, currently covering about 13 months of imports, well above international benchmarks. He added that fluctuations in reserves are expected in a market-driven system where investors are free to enter and exit.
He emphasised that the FX market has evolved from a system previously dominated by the central bank to one driven by liquidity and investor confidence, reducing the need to focus excessively on short-term movements in reserves.
Read also: Naira ends week-long loss streak as liquidity improves
Cardoso also highlighted ongoing efforts to boost diaspora remittances, noting that inflows are currently averaging about $600 million monthly, with a target of reaching $1 billion per month by the end of the year.
He explained that the CBN has focused on removing bottlenecks and improving access to the formal remittance channel, including enabling diaspora Nigerians to use the banking system more seamlessly through initiatives such as the Bank Verification Number (BVN) framework and closer collaboration with international money transfer operators.
The apex bank, he said, has created the enabling environment and is now encouraging commercial banks to develop products that will attract diaspora funds into the formal FX market.
Analysts say the April data reflects a market that is gradually deepening, supported by rising transaction volumes and improved participation across segments. However, they note that sustaining liquidity growth while managing reserve levels will remain critical to maintaining exchange rate stability in the months ahead.
Hope Moses-Ashike
Hope Moses-Ashike is an Associate Editor, Banking and Finance, with more than a decade of experience reporting on Nigeria’s financial system and broader economy. She closely tracks market movements, monetary policy decisions, company disclosures, regulatory actions, economic indicators, and global developments, and interprets what they mean for businesses, investors, policymakers, and households. Her reporting helps readers understand complex issues such as inflation trends, foreign exchange market dynamics, interest rate decisions, bank performance, and investment risks. She also covers major international events and periodically travels to Washington, D.C., to report on the World Bank/IMF Spring and Annual Meetings. Her dedication to financial journalism has earned her multiple recognitions and invitations to high-level professional development programmes. She is an alumna of the International Visitors Leadership Programme (IVLP) in the United States and holds an Advanced Financial Journalism Certificate from the Press Association Training in London, UK. Her other notable achievements include completing the Lagos Business School CMC Programme, the Bloomberg Media Africa Initiative Programme, and a Master Class in Journalism at Rhodes University in South Africa.
