Binance bribery allegations could impede foreign investment in this country, risk consultants say

As a researcher with a background in international economics and development, I find the allegations against Nigerian government officials taking bribes from Binance executives deeply concerning. This incident could significantly hinder Nigeria’s efforts to attract much-needed foreign investment at a time when its economic outlook remains challenging.


The new CEO of Binance makes an accusation: Nigerian government officials are said to have demanded bribes, an allegation that may negatively impact Nigeria’s efforts to draw in external investments, as per SBM Intelligence’s assessment.

On May 7, crypto.news revealed that Binance’s CEO, Richard Teng, claimed that unidentified individuals attempted to extort cryptocurrency from executives Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla before their detention in Nigeria on February 28, 2024.

As a researcher at SBM Intelligence, I’d like to share some insights from our recent report that we’ve circulated among local media outlets. The arrest of Binance officials and the ensuing bribery accusations cast a disheartening shadow over the investment climate in this region.

From my perspective as an analyst, this situation erodes trust in Nigeria’s investment environment when the country’s economic forecast is already uncertain.

Nigeria, Binance delegation

I was part of a Binance delegation that made our first visit to Nigeria in early January.

The objective was to engage in dialogues with Nigerian officials to gain understanding and resolution on cryptocurrency regulation matters and the necessary compliances.

On May 8, the Nigerian government denied Teng’s accusations and countered that Binance and its chief executive were manufacturing the bribery claim as part of a scheme to disrupt an ongoing criminal probe into their exchange via a deceptive media strategy.

As a researcher, I’ve found that when government officials in Nigeria are perceived as corrupt or open to unethical conduct, it can have detrimental effects on the country. Foreign investors may be deterred from making investments due to concerns about the stability of the political climate. The rule of law could weaken, as trust in institutions is eroded and citizens lose faith in their ability to hold those in power accountable. Additionally, efforts to address poverty and inequality could be hindered if resources are misappropriated or mishandled by corrupt officials.

The Nigerian government is highly opposed to cryptocurrencies, despite their growing acceptance.

As a researcher studying the adoption of cryptocurrencies, I’ve discovered that individuals around the world, including in Nigeria, are drawn to these digital currencies due to their investment potential and transaction capabilities. Nevertheless, the Nigerian government maintains its opposition towards cryptocurrencies.

As a crypto investor following the developments in Nigeria, I’ve observed that it’s been over two months since the Nigerian authorities detained two Binance executives. Unfortunately, one of them managed to escape from custody. Moreover, President Bola Tinubu has been actively traveling to various countries in an attempt to woo potential investors.

Yet, the text mentioned that detaining foreign business figures might pose a challenge in drawing in new investors for the country. SBM further pointed out:

As an analyst, I cannot overlook the accusations levied against Binance, but it’s crucial to keep in mind that this single business story may serve as a warning to others. Should Nigeria gain a reputation for officials soliciting bribes and then indefinitely detaining company representatives, attracting investors will be an uphill battle.

As a analyst, I would rephrase it as: The consultancy firm pointed out that the ongoing discourse about the detention of Binance executives has had a negative impact on the Nigerian government’s reputation. They strongly advised that a swift, fair, and diplomatic resolution to this issue would be beneficial for the Tinubu administration.

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2024-05-12 19:02