Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list has saved the country from losing an estimated $30 billion in potential investments, according to Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso.
Speaking at the CIBN annual dinner in Lagos, Cardoso said countries placed on the FATF grey list typically suffer a steep decline in capital inflows about 7.6% of GDP in the first year a scenario Nigeria has now avoided.
He noted that Nigeria’s exit followed more than two years of reforms to strengthen anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorism-financing systems, improve supervision of financial institutions, and enhance regulatory coordination.
The delisting has already boosted investor confidence, with foreign capital inflows rising to $20.98 billion in the first 10 months of 2025 up 70% from last year. Analysts say the move will ease international transactions, improve access to global financing, stabilize the naira, and reduce compliance burdens for banks.
Cardoso said the CBN will continue consolidating reforms to ensure long-term economic benefits and sustain global trust in Nigeria’s financial system. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.
