On Tuesday, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), met strategically with Nigerian CEOs of fintech companies in Washington, D.C., on the fringes of the 2025 Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
The closed-door forum, which had as its theme “Shaping the Future of Fintech in Nigeria: Innovation, Inclusion, and Integrity,” brought together investors, regulators, policy leaders, and fintech founders to strengthen cooperation and jointly develop policies that balance financial stability and innovation.
Governor Cardoso reiterated the Bank’s support for innovation and emphasised the value of cooperation and input in creating successful regulations for the fintech and financial sectors.
Olayemi Cardoso remarked, “At the CBN, we are committed to creating an environment where new ideas can flourish under prudent oversight, and where inclusion is at the heart of our endeavours.”
He added, “As we embrace new technology, it is our responsibility to uphold the integrity of the financial system, maintaining strong governance, consumer protection, and risk management so that trust in our institutions remains firm.”
Five key focus areas of the engagement
The five key focus areas of the meeting include Innovation and responsible growth; Infrastructure and interoperability; Legal and policy enablement; Compliance and financial integrity; and Market confidence and sustainable capital flows.
At the end of the session, the CBN and fintech stakeholders agreed to continue their engagement to align regulatory reforms with Nigeria’s larger financial innovation agenda.
CBN engages global investors
In a similar development, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, and the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, met with international investors at a high-level forum during the IMF and World Bank Fall Meetings in Washington, D.C., as part of continuous efforts to boost investor confidence and improve Nigeria’s economic outlook.
The meeting, which was attended by CBN Deputy Governor (Economic Policy) Dr Mohammed Abdullahi, Special Advisor to the President on Finance and the Economy Mrs. Sanyade Okoli, and Director-General of the Debt Management Office Mrs. Patience Oniha, gave a thorough update on Nigeria’s macroeconomic reforms, fiscal-monetary coordination, and policies influencing the country’s growth trajectory.
Governor Cardoso emphasised the foreign exchange market’s ongoing stability, the steady buildup of external reserves, and investors’ rising interest in stocks and fixed income. According to discussions, coordinated fiscal and monetary policies bolstered by market transparency and strategic infrastructure reforms lay the foundation for long-term, private-sector-led growth.
Governor Cardoso said, “Nigeria’s focus remains clear: strengthening our fundamentals, advancing reforms, and unlocking opportunities for sustainable investment and growth.”
He added, “We are encouraged by the progress made so far and remain confident that ongoing reforms are laying a stronger foundation for a more resilient economy.”
The government’s commitment to policy consistency
The Nigerian delegation reiterated the government’s commitment to policy consistency and ongoing reform momentum to create an atmosphere that is open, transparent, and appealing to long-term capital.
Participants voiced hope that Nigeria’s improved investor confidence, fortified institutions, and continuous reforms will propel sustainable growth and expand opportunities for all parties involved.