Economy

Nigeria: Broad Money Grows 6.51% in December 2016

Published

9 years ago

23/02/2017

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Depository Corporations Survey has shown that broad money supply (M2) expanded month-on-month by 6.51 percent in December 2016 to N23.84 trillion, a report by Cowry Asset has revealed.

It was gathered that the increase in M2 followeda0.70 percentincreaseinNet Domestic AssetstoN14.38trillion, accompanied by a 16.98 percent decrease in Net Foreign Assets to N9.35trillion.

The increase in net foreign assets partly reflected recovery in international crude oil prices since October last year juxtaposed with improved crude oil production.

Narrow money supply, M1, increased by 10.46 percent to N11.52 trillion as demand deposits grew by 9.69 percent to N9.70 billion and currency outside the banks increased by 14.70 percent to N1.82 trillion.

Also, net domestic credit upped by 0.45 percent to N26.97 trillion as credit to the private sector declined by 2.91 percent to N22.37 trillion while credit to the government increased by 20.85 percent to N4.60 trillion; which was indicative of crowding out of the private sector in a high interest rate environment.

In the real sector, Nigeria’s economy recorded sustained increase in annual inflation rate, to 18.72 percent in January 2017 (from 18.55 percent in December 2016).

However, monthly increase in composite consumer price index slowed to 1.01 percent in the review month (from 1.06 percent in December).

Increase in general price level was partly due to increased pressure from higher foreign exchange rates and their subsequent impact on consumer goods and services –Naira/USD exchange rates increased month-on-month by 1.78 percent and 1.63 percent to average N490/USD and N495.38/USD at the Bureau De Change and Parallel market segments respectively.

Similarly, the prices of refined petroleum products increased on a monthly basis–Premium Motor Spirit increased by 1.36 percent to average N148.7/litre; Automotive Gas Oil increased by 22.59 percent to average N240.52/litre; Household Kerosene spiked by 87.12 percent to average N433.84/litre; while average price for Liquefied Petroleum Gas increased by 22.91 percent to N5,500 per 12.50kg refill.

Food inflation rate rose to 17.82 percent in January (faster than 17.39 percent in December), driven by increases in prices of bread and cereals, meat oil and fats, and fish.

However, core inflation rate fell to 17.90 percent in January (from 18.10 percent in December).

The price index of housing water, electricity, gas and other fuel grew by 27.17 percent in January (slower than 27.25 percent in December); imported food index rose by 20.97 percent in January (slower than 21.08 percent in December); while transportation index increased at a faster pace by 17.22 percent in January (from 17.30 percent in December).

The clothing and footwear price index also increased at a faster pace by 17.85 percent in January (from 17.81 percent in December).

On the foreign scene, inflation rate in the United States increased year-on-year to 2.5 percent in January 2017 (higher than 2.1 percent recorded in December; above market expectations of 2.4 percent and higher than 2.0 percent target set by the Federal Open Markets Committee), mainly driven by gasoline prices.

In the same vein, inflation rate in the United Kingdom increased to 1.8 percent in January 2017 (higher than 1.6 percent in December, but below mark expectations of 1.9 percent), mainly driven by rising cost of fuel.

Consumer prices in China also increased year-on-year by 2.5 percent in January 2017 (higher than 2.1 percent recorded in December), driven by a faster increase in cost of food and non-food items.

The annual inflation rate in Ghana slowed to 13.3 percent in January (from 15.4 percent in the previous month), driven by slower increase in prices of food and non-food items (7 percent from 9.7 percent and 16.6 percent from 18.2 percent respectively).

View full report here: Cowry Asset

Economy

MTN to Acquire Additional 75% Stake in IHS Holdings for Full Control

Published

16 minutes ago

06/02/2026

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

MTN Group, Africa’s largest mobile network operator, has entered advanced discussions to buy approximately 75 per cent of shares in IHS Holding Limited (IHS Towers) that it does not already own.

The move would give the South African telco full control of IHS, which is the leading independent tower operator in several of its key markets, providing colocation services and supporting the expansion of mobile networks in regions with growing demand for digital connectivity.

In a cautionary announcement to investors on Thursday, MTN confirmed it is considering a transaction to acquire the remaining stake in the New York Stock Exchange-listed IHS, following recent market speculation.

The potential offer price would be “at a level near the last trading price” of IHS shares on the NYSE as of February 4, 2025, a period when the stock has seen a sharp rise in recent months, reflecting renewed investor confidence in the sector.

No binding agreement has been reached, and MTN emphasised there is no certainty that the deal will proceed.

However, if completed, the transaction could materially impact MTN’s share price, prompting the company to advise shareholders to exercise caution in trading until further updates.

MTN already holds a significant stake in IHS and maintains a deep operational partnership across multiple African markets.

Over the past decade, MTN has sold thousands of passive network sites to IHS through sale-and-leaseback deals, including a major transaction in South Africa in 2022 involving over 5,700 towers.

These arrangements allowed MTN to free up capital from infrastructure while securing long-term tower access via master lease agreements.

A full buyout would represent a dramatic strategic pivot for MTN, effectively bringing tower infrastructure back in-house after years of outsourcing to specialised operators like IHS.

MTN has previously voiced concerns about corporate governance at IHS, adding context to its cautious approach in the announcement.

If the deal falls through, MTN said it would continue exploring options to unlock value from its IHS investment, consistent with its disciplined capital allocation strategy.

The potential acquisition underscores the evolving dynamics in Africa’s telecom infrastructure sector, where operators weigh the benefits of owning versus leasing critical assets amid rising data demands and economic pressures.

Economy

NASD Exchange Moves Higher by 0.77%

Published

28 minutes ago

06/02/2026

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

For the third consecutive trading session, the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange ended in the green territory, rising further by 0.77 per cent on Thursday, February 5.

Two price gainers helped the bourse to rally during the session, with the market capitalisation up by N16.87 billion to N2.197 trillion from N2.180 trillion and the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) up by 3.18 points to 3,672 points from the 3,644.48 points in the midweek session.

The advancers’ group was led by Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS), which added N3.70 to sell at N48.67 per share versus the previous day’s N44.97 per share, and Afriland Properties Plc expanded by N1.01 to N15.01 per unit from N14.01 per unit.

It was observed that the alternative stock exchange recorded two price losers led by Geo-Fluids Plc, which further lost 51 Kobo to sell at N4.75 per share versus Wednesday’s closing price of N5.26 per share, and Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) declined by 6 Kobo to 59 Kobo per unit from 65 Kobo per unit.

During the session, the volume of securities transacted by investors slid by 51.9 per cent to 1.2 million units from 2.5 million units, the value of securities went down by 32.0 per cent to N12.0 million from N17.7 million, and the number of deals increased by 27.8 per cent to 23 deals from 18 deals.

At the close of trades, CSCS Plc was the most traded stock by value on a year-to-date basis with 16.2 million units exchanged for N659.9 million, followed by FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc with 1.7 million units traded for N117.8 million, and Geo-Fluids Plc with 12.3 million units valued at N79.1 million.

CSCS Plc remained the most active stock by volume on a year-to-date basis with 16.2 million units sold for N659.9 million, trailed by Mass Telecom Innovation Plc with 13.6 million units valued at N5.5 million, and Geo-Fluids Plc with 12.3 million units worth N79.1 million.

Economy

NGX Index Crosses 170,000 Points as Investors Sustains Buying Pressure

Published

38 minutes ago

06/02/2026

Dipo Olowookere

By Dipo Olowookere

The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited recorded another milestone after it further closed higher by 1.18 per cent on Thursday amid renewed confidence in the market.

The All-Share Index (ASI) crossed the 170,000-point threshold during the session as it added 1,975.18 points to the preceding day’s 168,030.18 points to settle at 170,005.36 points.

Also yesterday, the market capitalisation of Customs Street was up by 1,268 trillion to N109.129 trillion from the N107.861 it ended a day earlier.

The growth recorded during the session was powered 55 equities, which outweighed the losses recorded by 19 other equities.

Guinea Insurance expanded by 10.00 per cent to N1.43, Seplat Energy grew by 10.00 per cent to N7,370.00, RT Briscoe increased by 9.95 per cent to N11.49, Neimeth chalked up 9.90 per cent to close at N11.10, and Zichis rose by 9.89 per cent to N6.11.

At the other side, Deap Capital lost 9.62 per cent to trade at N6.20, Universal Insurance slipped by 9.43 per cent to N1.44, Haldane McCall declined by 9.09 per cent to N4.00, Red Star Express went down by 9.04 per cent to N15.60, and UPDC depreciated by 7.02 per cent to N5.30.

Business Post reports that the energy index was up by 4.68 per cent, the industrial goods improved by 0.79 per cent, the banking space grew by 0.64 per cent, and the consumer goods sector soared by 0.11 per cent, while the insurance counter lost 0.31 per cent.

Yesterday, market participants traded 713.0 million stocks valued at N22.3 billion in 46,104 deals versus the 694.8 million stocks worth N20.6 billion transacted in 42,095 deals on Wednesday, showing a spike in the trading volume, value, and number of deals by 2.62 per cent, 8.25 per cent, and 9.52 per cent, respectively.

Access Holdings sold 106.6 million shares valued at N2.5 billion, Chams transacted 44.5 million equities worth N201.3 million, Champion Breweries traded 44.5 million stocks for N774.3 million, Universal Insurance exchanged 34.8 million shares worth N53.6 million, and Deap Capital sold 22.7 million equities valued at N141.9 million.