Dr. Emomotimi Agama, Director-General of the SEC, revealed the initiative in his New Year message, emphasizing that the effort is designed to unlock patient capital for critical sectors of the economy.
According to a statement from the Commission, the proposed review will focus on incentivizing listings from small and medium-scale industries in strategic sectors, including manufacturing, automotive, pharmaceuticals, and finished goods. Agama noted that facilitating access to long-term capital through the capital market would help revive domestic manufacturing, reduce dependence on imports, create jobs, and enhance the global competitiveness of “Made in Nigeria” products.
Beyond SMEs, the SEC plans to prioritise the mobilisation of long-term capital to address financing gaps in infrastructure and key economic sectors. Agama said regulatory processes would be streamlined, while innovative financial instruments would be promoted to direct disciplined capital into productive areas of the economy.
The Commission also intends to facilitate the issuance of infrastructure bonds, green bonds, municipal bonds, and infrastructure-focused funds in 2026 to attract both domestic and international investors. These instruments are expected to finance projects in roads, power, rail, housing, and digital infrastructure, while making it easier for state governments and infrastructure firms to access capital efficiently.
Agriculture and housing are also central to the SEC’s plans. Agama disclosed that the Commission would encourage the listing of agribusiness firms and establish dedicated listing windows for agricultural cooperatives and value-chain companies. By leveraging commodity exchanges, agricultural investment trusts, and commodities-linked instruments, the SEC aims to de-risk agriculture, ensure fair pricing for farmers, boost food security, and increase citizen participation in the sector.
In the housing sector, the SEC plans to rejuvenate Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and introduce innovative affordable housing bonds to unlock funding for mass housing delivery. These measures are expected to create new asset classes for investors and move millions of Nigerians closer to home ownership.
The power sector will also benefit from the SEC’s initiatives, with planned issuance of infrastructure bonds, green energy bonds, project-backed securities, and public-private investment vehicles to fund grid expansion, renewable energy projects, and Nigeria’s energy transition agenda.
“Entering 2026, the SEC is committed to repositioning the capital market as a solution provider to Nigeria’s economic and developmental challenges,” Agama said. “We aim to transform the market into a key driver of sustainable growth for the country.”