Onyeali-Ikpe, Rewane urge Nigerians in diaspora to invest in local economy

Financial and policy experts have called for stronger participation of Nigerians in the diaspora in the country’s economic development, highlighting opportunities in investment, taxation reforms and emerging sectors.

The financial experts spoke at the Fidelity Diaspora Summit 2026, hosted virtually by Fidelity Bank Plc, according to a statement on Monday.The event brought together Nigerians living abroad to discuss investment opportunities and policy changes affecting diaspora engagement with the Nigerian economy.Speaking during the event, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of Fidelity Bank, said the summit was designed to help diaspora Nigerians understand evolving policy frameworks while identifying credible investment opportunities.

“Our theme today is navigating the new tax policy and unlocking investment opportunities in Nigeria,” Onyeali-Ikpe said.

“This subject is timely, practical, and matters to every Nigerian in the diaspora who earns, saves, owns assets or invests back home.”She described Nigerians abroad as key contributors to the country’s global reputation and economic potential.“You do much more than remit funds; you carry our reputation, our enterprise and our potential into boardrooms, hospitals, laboratories and technology hubs around the world,” she added.

In her keynote address, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), said diaspora Nigerians play a critical role in national development through investment, skills transfer and global exposure.

She also commended Fidelity Bank for providing a platform that encourages engagement between Nigerians abroad and opportunities in the domestic economy.

During the summit, Bismarck Rewane, managing director of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, presented an outlook on Nigeria’s economic trajectory and investment opportunities for 2026.

Chijioke Uwaegbute, partner and leader of tax and regulatory services at PwC, also explained the implications of Nigeria’s new tax framework for citizens living abroad.

Ndubuisi Ekekwe, chairman of Tekedia Capital, highlighted the need for diaspora investors to work with credible partners and adopt compliant investment pathways.

Ike Eze, tech entrepreneur and venture capitalist, also offered market grounded view of the technology investment landscape, and shared frameworks for approaching opportunity in Africa and Nigeria.

In his closing remarks, Stanley Amuchie, executive director and chief operations and information officer of Fidelity Bank, thanked participants and encouraged diaspora Nigerians to apply the insights shared during the summit.

Amuchie encouraged participants to “turn today’s insights into action, ask the hard questions, seek clarity, do your due diligence and choose partners that understand both your global context and the local terrain”.