Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited has advised investors to maintain diversified portfolios as global financial markets face continued volatility and shifting economic conditions in the second half of 2026.

The bank gave the advice at its H2 2026 Global Market Outlook event themed “Forging ahead through shifting terrain”, where industry experts discussed global market trends and investment opportunities, according to a statement on Wednesday.

Speaking on the global market outlook and investment opportunities for stakeholders, Manpreet Gill, Chief Investment Officer, Africa, Middle East and Europe, said investors should remain focused on long-term fundamentals despite market uncertainties.

“We continue to see opportunities across global equities, emerging market dollar bonds and portfolio diversifiers such as gold. While volatility is likely to persist, the broader global backdrop remains supportive for investors who maintain disciplined and well-diversified portfolios.

Our message is straightforward: remain diversified, stay invested, and focus on long-term fundamentals rather than short-term headlines,” Gill said.

Speakers at the event, including Lanre Olajide, Head of Wealth and Retail Banking, Nigeria; Ernest Adejumo, Head of Wealth Solutions; Uche Ugboh, Head of Treasury Markets; and Chima Eboh, Head of Affluent Banking and Branches, presented insights on market trends, economic developments and wealth management strategies.

Adejumo said investors needed to build resilient portfolios rather than attempt to predict every market movement.

“Winning in times like this isn’t about predicting every twist but building a resilient portfolio to weather the shifting terrain. Wealth isn’t built in calm markets, but in how you navigate uncertain ones.

“Our role at Standard Chartered is to translate global complexities into clear, actionable strategies that help clients turn shifting economic terrain into deliberate, well-structured opportunities to achieve their mid- to long-term investment goals,” he said.

The hybrid event hosted over 700 clients across Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt and concluded with a networking lunch with the bank’s management team.

Standard Chartered said Nigeria’s economic outlook for 2026 remained cautiously optimistic, with GDP growth projections of 4.3 per cent to 4.4 per cent, supported by expansion in the services sector, particularly ICT and finance, as well as a possible recovery in the oil sector.

The bank noted that efforts to diversify government revenue beyond oil were ongoing, but added that challenges, including inflation and fiscal pressures, remained.

Key areas of focus include stabilising the naira, managing inflation through effective monetary policy, improving infrastructure and ensuring that government policies translate into tangible benefits for citizens.

Standard Chartered said achieving these goals would require fiscal discipline and structural reforms.

The bank added that it remained optimistic about Nigeria’s long-term economic prospects, emphasising the importance of sustainable reforms, infrastructure development and regional cooperation in supporting growth in Nigeria and Africa.