Economy
IMF Urges South Sudan to Tighten Monetary Policy
By Dipo Olowookere
South Sudan has been advised to implement the adopted revenue measures and spending cuts, and to take additional measures to reduce domestic financing to a level consistent with macroeconomic stability.
This advice was given by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after its Executive Board concluded the Article IV consultation with the country on March 15, 2017.
In its assessment, the IMF board agreed that restoring fiscal discipline was necessary to reduce money expansion, help reduce inflation and restore external stability.
They welcomed the adoption of the 2016/17 budget and accompanying policy measures, including a decision to stop monetizing the deficit and improve public financial management.
The IMF emphasized the need to improve expenditure management and prevent domestic arrears, primarily through enforcement of monthly budget allocations, strict control of extra-budgetary expenditures, and setting up of a treasury single account.
It also stressed the need to minimize revenue leakages by implementing domestic oil market reforms, including removal of fuel subsidies, transparent transfer of government crude oil receipts to the budget, and liberalization of the fuel market.
Directors underlined the need to tighten monetary policy to reduce inflation and gradually replenish international reserves, and to enforce the statutory minimum reserve requirements and minimum capital for all banks to reduce vulnerabilities in the banking system. They acknowledged the progress achieved in the liberalization of the exchange rate regime and elimination of several exchange restrictions and multiple currency practices.
For the medium term, Directors underscored that policies should be focused on reprioritizing budgetary spending and rebuilding international reserves. They stressed that budgetary spending should be shifted from security-related outlays towards public services and infrastructure investment. Given capacity constraints, Directors encouraged the authorities to seek assistance to develop a coherent and well prioritized public investment program. They also encouraged the authorities to seek donor support for a disarmament, demobilization and reintegration program.
Directors noted that South Sudan is in debt distress despite moderate levels of external debt due to the combined impact of a civil war, decline in oil prices and high levels of fiscal spending. They underscored that steadfast implementation of announced adjustment policies and a return to peace would improve the debt outlook and allow for a gradual resumption of external financing.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The pre-registration training and examination for capital market operators (CMOs) for the second quarter of 2026 has been postponed.
Business Post gathered that the new date for the exercise is now Monday, June 15, 2026.
This information was disclosed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) through a circular on Monday, June 8, 2026.
The Nigerian capital market regulator stated that this postponement has also resulted in the extension of the deadline for registration to Friday, June 12, 2026.
In the notice today, the SEC expressed its regret for the inconvenience this action may cause operators, who had prepared for the initial date of the training and examination.
“Further to the recent circular on Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training and Examination, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) hereby informs all eligible applicants for the Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training and Examination that the commencement date has been postponed to Monday, June 15, 2026.
“Registration on the designated portal has also been extended to Friday, June 12, 2026. All other conditions contained in the circular remain unchanged.
“The commission regrets any inconvenience this postponement may cause and appreciates the understanding of all applicants,” the disclosure noted.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
One of the leading healthcare firms in Nigeria, Fidson Healthcare Plc, has listed additional shares on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
The new stocks absorbed into the stock market were 600 million units, raising the total issued and fully paid-up shares of Fidson to 3,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each from 2,400,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each.
The fresh equities came from the company’s rights issue of 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N35.00 per share.
They were issued to existing investors on the basis of one new ordinary share for every existing four ordinary shares held as of the close of business on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
Confirming the development, the regulator in a notice said, “Trading licence holders are hereby notified that an additional 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each of Fidson Healthcare Plc were on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, listed on the daily official list of Nigerian Exchange Limited.
“The additional shares arose from the company’s rights issue of 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N35.00 per share on the basis of one new ordinary share for every existing four ordinary shares held as at the close of business on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
“With the listing of the additional 600,000,000 ordinary shares, the total issued and fully paid-up shares of Fidson Healthcare Plc have now increased from 2,400,000,000 to 3,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
This news will surely excite local contractors with verified claims of N100 million or less, as the federal government has approved their payments.
This approval for the disbursement was given by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele.
This followed a verification and reconciliation exercise designed to ensure only validated claims qualify for payment.
The beneficiaries cover contractors across multiple ministries, departments and agencies. The release of the funds is expected to enable contractors to return to project sites, pay workers, settle suppliers and meet outstanding financial commitments.
In an announcement on Monday, the Federal Ministry of Finance also said this latest batch of payments would ease liquidity pressure on small businesses and accelerate economic activity nationwide.
It was noted that the payments for verified claims of N100 million below were strategically done to spread economic impact broadly rather than concentrate disbursements among a handful of large firms.
The payments form part of a broader push to clear inherited contractor obligations, with over N700 billion verified in recent months.
“For many beneficiaries, the release of funds represents more than a financial transaction. It provides the certainty needed to sustain operations, preserve jobs, complete ongoing projects, and contribute to economic recovery and growth,” the ministry said in a statement.
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