Mikano, Autochek Set to Roll Out Virtual Showroom, Expand Auto Finance 

Mikano Motors and Autochek Africa are to launch a virtual showroom and expand digital auto financing options in Nigeria, signalling a fresh shift in how vehicles are bought and financed in the country.

The partnership, set for formal unveiling on February 27, 2026, at Mikano Motors’ Victoria Island showroom in Lagos, will see the creation of a dedicated Mikano Motors Virtual Showroom on Autochek’s marketplace.

Through the platform, customers can browse Mikano’s vehicle lineup — including Changan, Maxus and other brands in its portfolio — compare models, and access tailored financing options without leaving the digital space.

Buyers will also be able to explore structured auto loans, flexible payment plans and receive quicker credit assessments within a single ecosystem.

The move effectively migrates critical stages of the car-buying journey online, reducing the delays traditionally associated with financing approvals and documentation.

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Group Executive Director of Mikano, Joelle Haykal, said the initiative aligns with the company’s commitment to enhancing customer experience.

“Our goal is not just to sell vehicles, but to simplify ownership,” she said, noting that integrating financing into the buying process gives customers more flexibility and control.

Autochek, a technology-driven automotive marketplace operating across Africa, leverages data analytics to power credit decisions and financial services designed to lower the barriers to vehicle ownership.

By embedding financing directly into vehicle listings, the platform aims to streamline transactions and improve transparency.

Industry analysts say the collaboration reflects a broader trend of digital transformation sweeping across Nigeria’s automotive sector, as dealers and financiers adapt to evolving consumer expectations.

For Mikano Motors, a subsidiary of Mikano International, the deal expands its market reach through digital channels. For Autochek, it strengthens its presence in Nigeria’s new vehicle segment.

Together, both firms are betting on a hybrid retail model that blends physical showrooms with seamless digital access — redefining the path to car ownership in Nigeria.

CBN Mops Up $190 Million to Slow Rapid Naira Appreciation

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) last week intervened in the foreign exchange (forex) market, buying about $189.8 million to slow the rapid appreciation of the Nigerian naira at the official window. Analysts say the move aims to absorb excess US dollar supply, stabilise the currency, and prevent market disruptions that could affect investors and the broader economy.

The naira had strengthened sharply in recent weeks, closing at around ₦1,346.32/$ in the official market — a week-on-week gain of ₦9.09. The parallel market also recorded gains, with rates improving by ₦60 to about ₦1,340/$. As a result, the FX spread — the difference between official and parallel rates — narrowed significantly to 0.47% from 3.29% the previous week, signalling improved convergence between the markets.

TrustBanc Financial Group noted that the naira’s successive rally could have prompted foreign investors to exit the fixed-income market, selling their holdings to repatriate profits. This scenario could have triggered higher US dollar demand, putting additional pressure on the naira and weakening market stability.

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Normally, central banks sell dollars to support the currency, but the CBN reversed this trend for the first time in months, buying dollars to moderate gains and prevent speculative surges. Analysts said this measured intervention reflects the bank’s commitment to exchange rate stability and orderly FX market operations.

On the macroeconomic front, Nigeria’s external reserves have remained robust, surpassing $46 billion, supporting the CBN’s ability to manage market dynamics. Strong oil prices, rising reserves, and reform-driven FX inflows have contributed to the naira’s stability, even amid lingering geopolitical risks.

Economists warn that excessive naira appreciation could reduce the competitiveness of Nigerian exports and prompt capital flight, affecting domestic investment. By moderating gains, the CBN seeks to balance currency stability, investor confidence, and the nation’s economic fundamentals.

Investors and businesses are being urged to monitor the FX market closely, as central bank interventions may influence short-term forex availability and pricing. Analysts expect the CBN to continue careful market management while promoting long-term currency stability.

CBN Mops Up $190 Million to Slow Rapid Naira Appreciation

Dangote Opens Refinery Investment to Nigerians With Public Share Sale Plans

Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, has announced that ordinary Nigerians will soon be able to buy shares in the $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery, a move aimed at expanding public participation in one of Africa’s largest industrial projects. The announcement was made during a guided inspection of the refinery by NNPC Limited management, led by Group CEO Bayo Ojulari, and senior officials of the company.

Dangote stated that arrangements are being finalised to allow individual investors to acquire shares within the next four to five months, giving Nigerians direct ownership in the refinery. “Individually, Nigerians too will have an opportunity… in the next maximum four or five months, they will actually be able to buy their shares,” he said.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) currently holds a 7.25 % stake in the refinery on behalf of Nigerians, ensuring that public interest remains a key aspect of the project. Dangote further explained that investors will have flexibility in receiving returns, saying, “People will have a choice either to get their dividends in naira or to get their dividends in dollars because we earn dollars.”

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Beyond the public share offering, Dangote highlighted ongoing collaboration with NNPC to enhance operations and explore opportunities across the oil and gas value chain, including potential upstream partnerships. “Most likely… we will partner with them, maybe in some of the upstream. They, too, will partner with us here because here is not a refinery. It’s an industrial hub,” he said.

The refinery is also set to support additional industrial ventures, including the production of linear alkylbenzene (LAB), a key raw material for detergents. Dangote noted that production will be sufficient to meet demand across the African continent within 30 months, underscoring the facility’s industrial significance.

Industry analysts expect the refinery to list on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) through a phased public offering of 5–10 % equity, similar to earlier listings of Dangote Cement and Dangote Sugar. The move is aimed at enhancing market liquidity, transparency, and public participation, while retaining majority ownership by the Dangote Group.

The public share offering represents a milestone in Nigeria’s industrial and energy sector, offering citizens an opportunity to participate in a globally competitive infrastructure project while benefiting from dividends in local and foreign currency.

Dangote Opens Refinery Investment to Nigerians With Public Share Sale Plans