{
  "id": 13180502,
  "title": "Dangote Group projects naira at N1,330/$ by year-end, N1,385/$ average for 2026",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/dangote-group-projects-naira-at-n1-330-by-year-end-n1-385-average-for",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-09T18:35:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Nairametrics",
    "slug": "nairametrics",
    "url": "https://nairametrics.com/2026/10/09/dangote-group-projects-naira-at-n1330-by-year-end-n1385-average-for-2026-2/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "According to Dangote Group's Economic Research and Intelligence H1 2026 Economic Report, the Nigerian naira is expected to trade at approximately N1,330 per dollar by the end of 2026, with an average exchange rate of N1,385/$ for the entire year. This projection is based on several factors, including rising foreign reserves, returning portfolio inflows, and lower fuel import requirements.\n\nThe report attributes the naira's appreciation to reserve accumulation, positive real interest rates that have attracted foreign portfolio investors, and an improving current account position. In the first half of 2026, the naira strengthened by about 4% against the dollar, trading close to N1,380/$ in the official foreign exchange market. This upward trend continued into August, with the currency reaching around N1,330/$.\n\nThe improving external position of Nigeria is also linked to the reduction in fuel imports, as domestic refining has expanded. The naira's outlook comes as Nigeria's external buffers and foreign exchange market conditions have improved. Nigeria's net foreign reserves have risen to a record $46 billion, and the strengthening of the foreign exchange market has boosted investor confidence.\n\nThe World Bank has also upgraded its growth forecast for Nigeria to 4.3% for 2026, up from 4.0%. The bank projects annual growth of 4.4% in 2027 and 2028. The World Bank's chief economist for Africa, Andrew Dabalen, noted that Sub-Saharan Africa continues to demonstrate resilience, with growth forecasts upgraded for nearly three-quarters of countries in the region. These differing projections reflect variations in the institutions' assumptions and outlooks for oil production, monetary policy, and domestic demand.",
  "summary": "The naira is projected to trade at around N1,330 per dollar in the fourth quarter of 2026, with a full-year average of about N1,385/$, as rising foreign reserves, returning portfolio inflows and lower fuel import requirements support the currency. The post Dangote Group projects naira at N1,330/$ by year-end, N1,385/$ average for 2026 appeared first on Nairametrics .",
  "key_points": [
    "Nigerian naira projected at N1,330/$ by year-end 2026",
    "Average exchange rate expected at N1,385/$ for 2026",
    "Naira appreciation attributed to foreign reserves and portfolio inflows"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}