Macroeconomic Report & Economic Updates
May 20, 2016
Nigeria Economic Update (Issue 21)
Recent
data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that the value of
capital imported to Nigeria declined by 54.34 percent; from $1.56 billion
2015Q4to $710.97 million in 2016Q11. This is the lowest value since
the data was first released in 2007. Huge declines in Portfolio Investment
(71.54 percent) and other Investment (44.84 percent) were the major drivers of
the trend within the period. A myriad of factors have contributed to the
decline in investments. The plunge in crude oil prices, and the resultant negative
signals on investors confidence, was a key factor. This was exacerbated by the
FOREX restrictions and delays in the assentation of 2016 Appropriation Bill.
While the slight increases in oil prices and the recent signing of the budget
into law could improve the general economic prospects, monetary authorities need
to proffer solutions to the negative effects of the current FOREX restrictions
on investments.
Related
Nigeria Economic Review
The
global economy grew by 2.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2016 (2016Q4)
relative to 2.5 percent in 2016Q3, due to rising investment and consumption
demands in developed and emerging economies as well as a rise in commodity
prices. However, over the entire year, global GDP growth stood at 2.6 percent in
2016, relative to the growth of 3.09 percent recorded in 2015. Notably, output grew
progressively in the US over the year, while the steady growth recorded in the
UK since the start of the year stalled in 2016Q4. Also, the declining growth
recorded in France since 2015 took a positive turn in 2016Q4, the rest of the
Eurozone witnessed a fall in output in the quarter. While emerging economies
recorded mixed experiences, many Sub-Saharan African countries showed signs of
recovery in the period.