FX turnover surges 146% to $5.05bn as spot market drives weekly activity
By Aboki Forex —
Total turnover in the Nigerian foreign exchange market surged 146.12 per cent to $5.05bn in the week ended 21 August 2026. Data from FMDQ Securities Exchange released on Friday showed the figure jumped by $3,002.63m from $2,054.89m recorded in the previous week.
Spot market leads the surge
The entire weekly gain was powered by the spot market. Spot transactions rose 155.02 per cent, adding $3,044.52m to close at $5,008.52m, compared with $1,964.00m in the week ended 14 August 2026.
Average daily spot volume climbed to $1,001.70m. As a result, the spot market's share of total turnover expanded to 99.03 per cent, up from 95.58 per cent in the prior week.
Reserves and policy support
The liquidity surge came amid stable macroeconomic conditions, sustained foreign portfolio inflows and robust external reserves, which recently crossed $52.5bn, the highest level in 17 years.
Market participants also benefited from improved transparency under the Central Bank of Nigeria's Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System. The apex bank's sustained monetary tightening framework aimed at stabilising exchange rates also supported activity.
Derivatives pull back
In contrast, activity in the FX derivatives segment contracted. Derivatives turnover dropped 46.09 per cent, or $41.89m, sliding from $90.89m to $49.00m.
The entire decline in the derivatives market was traced to FX Forwards, which fell 46.09 per cent. Daily average derivatives turnover dropped to $9.80m, bringing its market share down to 0.97 per cent from 4.42 per cent the preceding week.
Analysts linked the derivatives pull-back to strong immediate liquidity in the spot window. That reduced demand for forward hedging contracts among market participants.
Overall daily turnover
Across all market segments, average daily turnover rose to $1,011.50m for the week, up from $461.40m recorded in the previous week.
For the naira, the sharp increase in spot liquidity and the continued build-up in external reserves could help keep exchange rate pressures in check in the coming weeks.