It may take 300 years to bridge Nigeria’s infrastructure gap-SEC

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has said that given the current rate of capital expenditure, it would take approximately 300 years to bridge Nigeria’s infrastructure gap. 

The Director-General of, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr Yakubu Yuguda stated this at the 2023 Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) National Workshop which was held in Abuja. 

Speaking on the theme of leveraging the capital market to drive public-private partnerships for effective national economic growth, Yuguda, citing a World Bank report, pointed out that Nigeria’s current level of public spending on infrastructure is one of the lowest globally. 

Approach to financing infrastructure development

The SEC DG who was represented by the Executive Commissioner, Corporate Services, Ibrahim Boyi, stressed the need for a new approach to financing infrastructure development in Nigeria to stimulate economic growth and argued that leveraging public-private partnerships is essential, and the capital market can play a crucial role in this regard. 

He stated that the Nigerian Capital Market has the capacity and is well-positioned to finance Public-Private Partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects in the country. 

The Director-General explained that the capital market, with its patient capital and established project financing options, is well-suited to finance PPP infrastructure projects at various levels.

He cited the common model used in many developed countries, where governments and private sector partners raise debt capital for PPP projects through bonds and loans. 

• His words, “This is an infrastructure financing model that is a common choice in many developed nations of the world.
• Capital markets allow governments and private sector partners to raise debt capital for PPP projects. Governments can issue bonds to finance their share of the project costs while private companies can secure loans or issue corporate bonds for their contributions.  
• The capital market’s ability to provide funding, risk management tools, liquidity, and efficient allocation of resources makes it a crucial partner in the success of PPP projects.
• It allows governments and private sector partners to leverage their strengths and resources to deliver essential public infrastructure and services”. 

He thereafter commended the CIS for its role in developing the economy by equipping individuals and organizations with the necessary skills and expertise in the financial sector, which is crucial for the success of PPP projects.