Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited has advised investors to maintain well-diversified portfolios as global financial markets continue to experience volatility and changing economic dynamics in the second half of 2026.
The bank gave the recommendation during its H2 2026 Global Market Outlook event themed “Forging ahead through shifting terrain”, where financial experts examined emerging market trends, investment opportunities and strategies for navigating an uncertain global environment.
The event brought together stakeholders to discuss how investors can position their portfolios for sustainable growth despite fluctuations in markets, currencies and economic policies.
Speaking on global market opportunities and investment strategies, Manpreet Gill, Chief Investment Officer, Africa, Middle East and Europe, urged investors to remain committed to long-term fundamentals rather than react to short-term market developments.
Gill said opportunities still existed across major investment classes, including global equities, emerging market dollar bonds and alternative assets such as gold, despite continued uncertainty.
“We continue to see opportunities across global equities, emerging market dollar bonds and portfolio diversifiers such as gold. While volatility is likely to persist, the broader global backdrop remains supportive for investors who maintain disciplined and well-diversified portfolios.
“Our message is straightforward: remain diversified, stay invested, and focus on long-term fundamentals rather than short-term headlines,” Gill said.
Other speakers at the event included Lanre Olajide, Head of Wealth and Retail Banking, Nigeria; Ernest Adejumo, Head of Wealth Solutions; Uche Ugboh, Head of Treasury Markets; and Chima Eboh, Head of Affluent Banking and Branches.
They shared perspectives on economic developments, financial market trends and wealth management approaches designed to help investors navigate changing conditions.
Adejumo stressed that successful investing during uncertain periods required building resilient portfolios rather than attempting to predict every market movement.
“Winning in times like this isn’t about predicting every twist but building a resilient portfolio to weather the shifting terrain. Wealth isn’t built in calm markets, but in how you navigate uncertain ones.
“Our role at Standard Chartered is to translate global complexities into clear, actionable strategies that help clients turn shifting economic terrain into deliberate, well-structured opportunities to achieve their mid- to long-term investment goals,” he said.
The hybrid event attracted more than 700 clients from Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt and ended with a networking lunch involving the bank’s management team.
Nigeria’s Economic Outlook Remains Cautiously Positive
Standard Chartered said Nigeria’s economic outlook for 2026 remained cautiously optimistic, projecting GDP growth between 4.3 per cent and 4.4 per cent.
According to the bank, growth would be supported largely by continued expansion in the services sector, especially ICT and financial services, alongside a potential recovery in oil sector activities.
The bank, however, noted that while efforts were ongoing to reduce dependence on oil revenue, the country continued to face challenges such as inflationary pressures and fiscal constraints.
Standard Chartered identified key priorities for strengthening Nigeria’s economic performance, including stabilising the naira, controlling inflation through effective monetary policy, improving infrastructure and ensuring government reforms deliver measurable benefits to citizens.
The bank said achieving sustainable growth would require stronger fiscal discipline, structural reforms and consistent implementation of economic policies.
Despite the challenges, Standard Chartered maintained that Nigeria’s long-term economic prospects remained positive, noting that sustainable reforms, infrastructure investment and greater regional cooperation would be critical to unlocking growth opportunities across Nigeria and Africa.