Economy

IMF Claps for FG Over Adoption of Finance Act, Deep Offshore Basin Act

Published

5 years ago

20/02/2020

Dipo Olowookere

Business Post Nigeria Cover Week 8 - Copy

By Dipo Olowookere

**Praises CBN’s Raising of Cash Reserve Ratio

**Wants Banking System Vulnerabilities Addressed

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has applauded the federal government for adopting the finance bill and the deep offshore basin act.

In a statement issued after a visit to the country from January 29 to February 12, 2020, the global lender said the adoption of these policies would help address some vulnerabilities observed during the conduct its annual Article IV Consultation discussions on Nigeria’s economy.

Leader of the team, Amine Mati, who is the Senior Resident Representative and Mission Chief for Nigeria, said the Finance Bill and Deep Offshore Basin Act will help the country boost revenue, while the end-December budget cycle for 2020 will improve execution.

It further said the tightening of monetary policy in January 2020 by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through higher cash reserve requirements to respond to looming inflationary pressures was a welcome, noting that, “Progress on structural reforms, particularly in Doing Business, finalizing power sector reforms, and strengthening governance, is commendable.”

However, it urged government to pay attention to the slow pace of economic recovery, noting that declining real incomes and weak investment continue to weigh on economic activity.

It said, “Inflation—driven by higher food prices—has risen, marking the end of the disinflationary trend seen in 2019. External vulnerabilities are increasing, reflecting a higher current account deficit and declining reserves that remain highly vulnerable to capital flow reversals. The exchange rate has remained stable, helped by steady sales of foreign exchange in various windows.”

In addition, the IMF said, “High fiscal deficits are complicating monetary policy. Weak non-oil revenue mobilization led to further deterioration of the fiscal deficit, which was mostly financed by CBN overdrafts. The interest payments to revenue ratio remains high at about 60 percent.”

In view of the above, the IMF said, “Under current policies, the outlook is challenging. The mission’s growth forecast for 2020 was revised down to 2 percent to reflect the impact of lower international oil prices. Inflation is expected to pick up, while deteriorating terms of trade and capital outflows will weaken the country’s external position.”

“Major policy adjustments remain necessary to contain short-term vulnerabilities, build resilience, and unlock growth potential.

“Non-oil revenue mobilization—including through tax policy and administration improvements—remains urgent to ensure financing constraints are contained and the interest payments to revenue ratio sustainable. Recourse to central bank overdrafts should be limited and the mission supports the authorities’ plans to use the low domestic yield environment to front load their financing requirements,” it said.

It stressed that, “Further tightening of monetary policy—albeit through more conventional methods—is needed to contain domestic and external pressures arising from large amounts of maturing CBN bills. The mission reiterated its advice on ending direct central bank interventions, securitizing overdrafts to introduce longer-term government instruments to mop up excess liquidity and moving towards a uniform and more flexible exchange rate. Removing restrictions on access to foreign exchange for the 42 categories of imported goods would be needed to encourage long-term investment.”

According to the IMF, “Banking system vulnerabilities should continue to be addressed. The mission welcomed recent efforts to reduce legacy non-performing loans. The introduction of risk-based minimum capital requirements would also help strengthen bank resilience.

“Notwithstanding the significant increase in lending, concerns about shortened maturity, asset quality and conflicting monetary policy signals call for revisiting the minimum lending to deposit ratio directive.”

“Structural reforms—particularly executing the much-delayed power sector recovery plan, implementing the anti-corruption and financial inclusion strategy, and addressing infrastructure and gender gaps—remain essential to boosting inclusive growth.

“Nigeria’s border closure will continue to have significant economic consequences on the country’s neighbours. It is important that all involved parties quickly resolve the issues keeping the borders closed—including to stop the smuggling of banned products,” it said.

Economy

Female-led Businesses Have 7.2% Higher Activity Rate Than Male Counterparts—Eniolorunda

Published

13 hours ago

29/11/2024

Modupe Gbadeyanka

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The chief executive of Moniepoint Incorporated, Mr Tosin Eniolorunda, has said it’s more profitable to serve women than their male counterparts.

Speaking at the second International Financial Inclusion Conference 2024 organized by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other critical stakeholders, he said women entrepreneurs have proven to be diligent and enhance profitability.

He disclosed that based on data harvested from the Moniepoint platform, “women-owned businesses are more likely to stay active and show higher engagement rates in financial transactions.”

According to him, in cases where financial support has been extended—through investments, KYC compliance, or the provision of tools like point-of-sale devices—female-led businesses have a 7.2 per cent higher activity rate than their male counterparts while looking at the gender relations with credit products, “women-owned businesses have an 87.5 per cent lower loan non-performance rate (NPL) than male-owned enterprises.”

He submitted at the event themed Inclusive Growth: Harnessing Financial Inclusion for Economic Development that for financial inclusion to be sustainable, especially for women, it must no longer be treated as a buzzword, charitable social activity or a checklist to be marked.

Mr Eniolorunda noted that financial service providers play a vital role in supporting gender-inclusive finance and that by collecting and analysing data on gender trends in small business performance, they can craft better policies, targeted products, and support services that encourage more women entrepreneurs.

Echoing similar sentiments, his counterpart at the Credit Registry, Ms Jameelah Sharrieff-Ayedun, said, “90 per cent of women’s income that they receive goes back to the communities and their families as such when women have access to credit, the community is enhanced, families are better off which is why it’s important that they can access this funding.”

In her summation, the Deputy Governor of the CBN for Operations, Ms Emem Usoro acknowledged some of the structural challenges that might require time and resources to be addressed including cultural practices and less systemic ones such as distance to financial services providers that stifle the participation of women-owned businesses, while signposting the power of data to catalyze inclusive growth and its viability for economic planning.

Economy

Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Moves to Protect Mutual Fund Holders

Published

13 hours ago

29/11/2024

Aduragbemi Omiyale

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

A significant step has been taken by Stanbic IBTC Asset Management to protect mutual fund holders from scams.

This is being implemented through a campaign launched by the organisation to raise awareness of scam attempts that may mislead customers into using incorrect account details, highlighting the tactics used by scammers to keep customers informed and vigilant.

Stanbic IBTC Asset Management intends to use this means to build trust and reassurance, reinforcing its dedication to the financial safety of its clients.

This move, taken in response to an alarming rise in scam attempts targeting mutual fund holders, will educate customers on protecting their investments and understanding the correct procedures for mutual fund subscriptions.

The firm has advised customers to verify the payment accounts for any Stanbic IBTC mutual fund investments, encouraging due diligence in confirming the legitimacy of financial communications.

The chief executive of Stanbic IBTC Asset Management, Ms Busola Jejelowo, said, “At Stanbic IBTC, our top priority is our customers’ financial safety, and we are fully committed to ensuring that our clients have the security they need while managing their investments.

“This campaign is designed to protect our customers and empower them with the knowledge necessary to recognise and verify the authenticity of any communications they receive.

“By doing so, we aim to foster a sense of confidence and security among our clients regarding their financial decisions.”

It was gathered that recently, enquiries about the authenticity of mutual fund subscription messages have surged. Many of these messages contain differing and potentially incorrect account numbers, leading to confusion and concern among investors.

The company has made it clear that customers should not hesitate to contact the support team directly with any concerns, questions, or suspicions regarding communications or transactions.

Economy

NASD Index Records 0.67% Appreciation

Published

15 hours ago

29/11/2024

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) recorded a 0.67 per cent appreciation on Thursday, November 28, with the portfolios of investors on the platform rising by N7.09 billion to N1.061 trillion from the N1.053 trillion it closed in the preceding session and the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) growing by 20.22 points to wrap the session at 3,026.60 points compared with 3,006.38 points recorded on Wednesday.

This happened after the unlisted securities market finished the trading session with three price gainers and two price losers.

Afriland Properties Plc gained N1.58 to end at N17.39 per unit compared with the midweek’s closing price of N15.81 per unit, as Acorn Petroleum Plc improved its value by 14 Kobo to close at N1.69 per share, in contrast to the previous day’s N1.55 per share, and Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc went up by N1 to sell for N23.00 per unit compared with the preceding session’s N22.00 per unit.

On the flip side, First Trust Microfinance Bank Plc lost 4 Kobo to finish at 32 Kobo per share versus Wednesday’s closing price of 36 Kobo per share and Geo-Fluids Plc slumped by 3 Kobo to sell at N3.90 per unit compared to N3.93 per unit it was sold a day earlier.

There was a 191.9 per cent rise in the volume of securities traded in the session as investors exchanged 2.9 million units compared with the previous trading day’s 1.0 million units.

Equally, there was a 283.9 per cent surge in the value of shares traded yesterday to N7.9 million from the N2.1 million recorded in the previous day, and the number of deals increased by 300 per cent to 12 deals from the three deals executed in the preceding day.

At the close of transactions, Geo-Fluids Plc was the most active stock by volume (year-to-date) with 1.7 billion units valued at N3.9 billion, trailed by Okitipupa Plc with 752.2 million units sold for N7.8 billion, and Afriland Properties Plc with 297.3 million units worth N5.3 million.

Aradel Holdings Plc remained the most active stock by value (year-to-date) with 108.7 million units worth N89.2 billion, followed by Okitipupa Plc with 752.2 million units valued at N7.8 billion, and Afriland Properties Plc with 297.3 million units sold for N5.3 billion.