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

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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.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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Economy

NASD OTC Bourse Improves by 0.42%

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NASD OTC stock exchange

By Adedapo Adesanya

The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange closed higher on Friday, February 7 by 0.42 per cent, with the market capitalisation increasing by N7.54 billion to close at N1.804 trillion compared with the previous day’s N1.796 trillion.

Equally, the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) went up by 13.30 points during the session to close at 3,184.87 points, in contrast to the preceding day’s 3,171.57 points.

The final trading day of the week had four price gainers and two price losers, according to data obtained from the NASD OTC bourse.

Food Concepts Plc appreciated on Friday by 15 Kobo to settle at N1.65 per share compared with Thursday’s closing price of N1.50 per share, Mixta Real Estate Plc expanded by 31 Kobo to finish at N3.42 per unit versus the preceding session’s N3.11 per unit, FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc further grew by 60 Kobo to N40.10 per unit from N39.50 per unit, and Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc gained 22 Kobo to wrap the day at N24.00 per share compared with N23.78 per share.

On the flip side, Afriland Properties Plc went south by 2.9 per cent to N17 per unit from N17.49 per unit and 11 Plc slid by N3 to close at N253 per share, in contrast to the preceding session’s N256 per share.

During the trading day, the volume of securities bought and sold by investors decreased by 98.1 per cent to 226,384 units from 12.0 million units, the value of securities also slid by 31.4 per cent to N9.7 million from N14.2 million, and the number of deals dropped by 25.6 per cent to 32 deals from 43 deals.

Impresit Bakolori Plc ended the session as the most active stock by value (year-to-date) with 519.5 million units worth N504.3 million, followed by FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc with 6.2 million units valued at N245.0 million, and Geo-Fluids Plc with 9.3 million units sold for N44.8 million.

Also, Impresit Bakolori Plc remained the most active stock by volume (year-to-date) with 519.5 million units worth N504.3 million, trailed by Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) Plc with 42.4 million units sold for N12.9 million, and Geo-Fluids Plc with 9.3 million units valued at N44.8 million.

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Economy

Naira Remains Stable at N1,500/$1 at Official Market

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Fake Naira notes banknotes

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Naira closed flat against the United States Dollar at N1,500.65/$1 in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) on Friday, February 7, after recording losses in four straight sessions in the trading week.

The recent pressure on the market across majorly regulated channels came despite recent policy moves by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) creating more trading transparency and ethical practices.

However, the domestic currency depreciated against the Pound Sterling in the official market yesterday by N8.78 to trade at N1,868.76/£1 compared with the previous day’s rate of N1,859.98/£1 and against the Euro, it weakened by N1.95 to settle at N1,557.13/€1, in contrast to Thursday’s closing price of N1,555.18/€1.

At the parallel market, the Nigerian currency improved its value further against the US Dollar on Friday by N5 to sell for N1,565/$1 compared with the preceding session’s N1,570/$1.

As for the cryptocurrency market, it slumped yesterday after the US Bureau of Labor Statistics said the country’s economy added 143,000 jobs in January, below the forecast 170,000 and down from 256,000 in December.

Ethereum (ETH) declined by 4.5 per cent to sell at $2,615.76, Cardano slumped 4.3 per cent to trade at $0.6949, Litecoin (LTC) depreciated by 1.9 per cent to settle at $103.35, Dogecoin (DOGE) fell by 1.7 per cent to $0.2476, Solana (SOL) recorded a 1.4 per cent loss to close at $193.39, Bitcoin (BTC) depleted by 1.2 per cent to $96,138.53, and Binance Coin (BNB) went down by 1.1 per cent to quote at $578.78.

On the flip side, Ripple (XRP) gained 1.8 per cent to trade at $2.36, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) traded flat $1.00 each.

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Economy

Oil Prices up on Fresh Iran Crude Export Sanctions

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Crude Oil Prices

By Adedapo Adesanya

Oil prices went up on Friday after new sanctions were imposed on Iran’s crude exports, with Brent crude futures expanding by 37 cents or 0.5 per cent to $74.66 per barrel, and the US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures growing by 39 cents or 0.55 per cent to $71.00 a barrel.

However, for the week, prices were down by 2 per cent as investors worried about US President Donald Trump’s renewed trade war with China and threats of tariffs on other countries.

Reports of planned tariffs from the Trump administration reined in gains following the sanctions announced on Thursday.

The American president on Friday said he plans to announce reciprocal tariffs on many countries by Monday or Tuesday of next week.

President Trump did not identify which countries would be hit but suggested it would be a broad effort that could also help solve US budget problems.

However, Mr Trump’s Commerce secretary nominee Howard Lutnick voiced concerns about India’s high tariff rates, while US Trade Representative nominee Jamieson Greer discussed US complaints about Vietnam’s and Brazil’s tariffs and trade barriers.

He had earlier announced a 10 per cent tariff on Chinese imports as part of a broad plan to improve the US trade balance, but suspended plans to impose steep tariffs on Mexico and Canada.

But market analysts noted that this could be a major escalation of his offensive to tear up and reshape global trade relationships in the US favour.

On Thursday, it imposed new sanctions on a few individuals and tankers helping to ship millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil per year to China as it intensified war against Iran.

Iran’s President, Mr Masoud Pezeshkian, called on its fellow members in the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to stand united against ‘destabilizing’ US sanctions, meeting with OPEC Secretary General Khaitam al-Ghais as the country assumes the rotating presidency of the organisation.

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