Rand Merchant Bank (RMB), a leading corporate and investment bank, has voiced strong support for President Bola Tinubu’s economic reform agenda, highlighting its potential to drive trade and investment growth across West Africa.
During the Global Trade Review (GTR) West Africa 2025 Conference recently held in Lagos, Oluwaseyi Onanuga, Head of Treasury and Trade Solutions at RMB Nigeria, praised the administration’s policy moves — including the elimination of fuel subsidies and the liberalisation of the foreign exchange market — as essential steps toward achieving macroeconomic stability and restoring investor trust.
“These reforms are bold and necessary. They form the bedrock of a stronger economic framework,” Onanuga remarked during a panel discussion titled “Ghana, Nigeria and Beyond: Assessing Trade Prospects.”
He further noted that recent financial sector initiatives led by the Central Bank of Nigeria are strategically aimed at strengthening the economy and attracting investment. The GTR West Africa 2025 event brought together over 45 speakers for two days of dialogue, networking, and policy discussions under the theme “Financing Growth in West Africa’s Trade Epicentre.”
RMB Nigeria also expressed optimism about the prospects for intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). According to the bank, advancements in regulatory policies and payment infrastructure are key to reducing trade barriers and enhancing regional economic integration.
“With better settlement systems and regulatory improvements, we foresee a more inclusive and efficient trade environment that reduces costs, minimizes risks, and encourages broader participation across the continent,” Onanuga concluded.
