Clean Energy Fund Tops 276% as Nigeria's Mutual Funds Post Wild YTD Gains in 2026
Overview
As of March 6, 2026, Nigeria's mutual fund market is delivering some eye-catching numbers to kick off the year. Year-to-date figures across multiple fund categories reflect a broadly active market, with standout performances in specialised and balanced fund categories capturing significant attention. This week's digest breaks down the top performers, category leaders, and the funds worth keeping on your radar.
Top Performers
The headline story this week — and arguably of the young year — belongs to the Clean Energy Fund managed by Fundco Capital Managers Limited. With a staggering 276.99% YTD return, it sits comfortably at the top of the overall fund rankings, outpacing every other fund by a wide margin. Whether this reflects underlying portfolio gains, pricing adjustments, or structural factors, the number is impossible to ignore.
Right behind it, two balanced funds are making a strong case for their category. ARM Halal Balanced Fund (ARM Investment Managers Limited) posted a 149.01% YTD return, while Capital Express Balanced Fund (Capital Express Asset and Trust Limited) followed closely at 147.84%. Rounding out the top five are ARM Aggressive Growth Fund at 141.20% and Lead Balanced Fund at 134.82% — both impressive showings from equity and balanced strategies respectively.
Category Leaders
Here is how the best-performing fund in each category stacks up for 2026 so far:
| Category | Fund | YTD Return |
|---|---|---|
| Specialised Funds | Clean Energy Fund | 276.99% |
| Balanced Fund | ARM Halal Balanced Fund | 149.01% |
| Equity Fund | ARM Aggressive Growth Fund | 141.20% |
| Exchange Traded Funds | VI ETF | 108.33% |
| Ethical Fund | Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund | 34.22% |
| Equities | Stanbic IBTC Imaan Fund | 32.09% |
| Bond Fund | AVA GAM Fixed Income Fund | 27.19% |
| Money Market Fund | RT Briscoe Savings & Investment Fund | 24.33% |
| Fixed Income | Norrenberger Islamic Fund | 17.24% |
| Infrastructure Funds | United Capital Infrastructure Fund | 17.02% |
| Real Estate Fund | MOFI Real Estate Investment Fund | 11.70% |
Notable Movers
VI ETF deserves special mention with its 108.33% YTD return, making it the standout performer among exchange-traded funds. For a product class that typically tracks underlying indices, this is a notable figure worth monitoring in coming weeks.
On the more conservative end, RT Briscoe Savings & Investment Fund leads the money market category at 24.33% — a figure that remains competitive relative to traditional savings instruments in the current environment. Meanwhile, MOFI Real Estate Investment Fund at 11.70% leads real estate funds, reflecting the comparatively steadier, income-driven nature of that asset class.
Closing Note
This week's data paints a picture of a market with wide performance dispersion — from the triple-digit returns of specialised and balanced funds to the steadier single-digit territory of real estate and infrastructure. As always, past performance does not guarantee future results, and investors are encouraged to consult qualified financial professionals before making any fund decisions. Stay tuned for next week's digest.