NESG-Stanbic IBTC BCM Report: How New Business Challenges Slowed Growth and Dampened Business Outlook in 2025

NESG Radio

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and Stanbic IBTC released the March 2025 edition of the monthly Business Confidence Monitor Report. This report provides vital insights into the current business climate in Nigeria, including the levels of optimism, challenges, and economic indicators influencing business operations. As a key gauge of the private sector’s perception of the economy, the Business Confidence Monitor offers an invaluable lens through which businesses, policymakers, and investors can assess current conditions and anticipate future trends. Businesses in Nigeria reported a sustained positive business for the third consecutive month in 2025, signalling favourable business conditions in the year. As a result, the current Business Performance Index for March 2025 stands at +6.58, a weakly positive business performance and a slight decline compared to +11.50 points in February 2025. Although not the top challenge this month, the high cost of commercial lease/rental property remains among the top three business challenges in the last two months. Other top-ranking business challenges include inadequate power supply, limited access to financing, and economic uncertainties.