The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, has engaged Nigerian and Chinese business leaders on ways to strengthen financial connectivity, improve cross-border transactions and expand investment flows between the two countries.
The engagement took place at a high-level business and financial roundtable held in Beijing, China, on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, under the theme, “Strengthening the Nigeria–China Financial Corridor.”
The meeting, held at the Pan Pacific Beijing, provided a platform for businesses operating in both countries to discuss challenges affecting financial transactions and explore opportunities to deepen banking relationships and investment channels.
Cardoso emphasised the importance of direct engagement with businesses to understand the opportunities and practical constraints affecting financial activities between Nigeria and China.
He noted that feedback from stakeholders would help the apex bank identify areas requiring attention as it pursues efforts to develop deeper and more accessible financial markets.
The Deputy Governor for Economic Policy at the CBN, Philip Ikeazor, delivered the opening remarks, highlighting the need to translate Nigeria’s improving macroeconomic fundamentals into increased investment and stronger financial markets.
Nigeria’s Ambassador to China, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (rtd), also addressed participants at the meeting.
Other speakers included the Chairperson of Blue Diamond Group, Festus Mbisiogu, and the Chairperson of CIG Motors, Chief Diana Chen, who shared perspectives from businesses operating along the Nigeria–China economic corridor.
A major component of the roundtable was an interactive session during which participants highlighted opportunities for increased financial activity and outlined challenges encountered in conducting transactions between the two countries.
Among the issues raised were the need for more efficient cross-border payment arrangements, stronger banking connectivity and the potential benefits of expanding the presence of Nigerian banks in China.
Participants also discussed ways to facilitate financial flows, improve access to financial services and create better channels for investment between the two economies.
The meeting featured a presentation on Nigeria’s economic reform progress, improving macroeconomic fundamentals and emerging investment opportunities in the country’s financial markets.
In his closing remarks, Cardoso stressed the importance of translating stakeholder feedback into a clearer understanding of the financial and institutional issues that require attention.
The CBN said the insights gathered would inform its continued engagement with relevant financial institutions and regulatory counterparts, with a focus on practical areas of cooperation within the Bank’s mandate.
The Beijing roundtable forms part of the CBN’s broader strategy to strengthen Nigeria’s financial relationships across Asia and expand opportunities for cross-border investment.
The initiative follows engagements in Singapore and at the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok.
The Bank’s China programme also includes bilateral discussions with the People’s Bank of China, engagements with the leadership of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), and meetings with Nigerian and Chinese businesses.
The programme is expected to extend to Guangzhou, where the CBN will hold a listening session with members of the Nigerian business community to better understand their financial challenges and explore opportunities to strengthen remittance channels and facilitate investment in Nigeria.
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