Macroeconomic Report & Economic Updates
July 4, 2017
Nigeria Economic Update (Issue 24)
The external reserves decreased week-on-week marginally by 0.2 percent from June 9, 2017 to June 16, 2017. The reserve declined from $30.27 billion to $30.21 billion. Given that crude oil revenue constitutes the most part of the reserve, the decline may be reflective of the week-on-week drop in global crude oil price (Crude oil price fell by approximately 2 percent to $47.377 per barrel as at June 16 2017). The ongoing forex intervention by the monetary authority also poses a challenge to foreign reserve conservation. Given the unimpressive performance of global oil prices in recent time, there is need to explore other areas with great potentials to generate foreign exchange earnings. Diversification of forex earnings remains the key to insulating foreign reserve against fluctuations in global commodity prices. The country can tap into solid minerals sector as alternative source of foreign exchange. Huge investment together with investor-friendly policies in solid minerals would make the sector attractive to investors.
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Benefit Incidence Analysis Of Education And Health Spending In Nigeria
This
brief examines the beneficiaries of government expenditure in
the social sectors of education and health, and answers the question of equity
in the provision of social services among different income groups.
Nigeria Economic Update (Issue 17)
Power sector analysis shows a decline
in power generated by 8.5 percent from a peak of 3,675 mw to 3,362 mw between
April 3, 2016 and April 10, 20169. This record is however still
below 5,074.7 mw- the highest peak ever attained in the country. The declining
power supply which has been attributed to vandalism of pipelines and gas
shortages, has continued to distort economic activities in the country. With
the persistent fall in electricity generation, the possibility of attaining the
targeted 10,000 mw by 201910 seems unattainable. A clear strategy towards
increasing power generation and curbing vandalism is urgently needed.
Nigeria Economic Update (Issue 25)
Crude oil price continued to increase in the
period under review, reaching its 2016 peak at $50.30 on June 2, 2016.
Specifically, OPEC weekly basket price increased by 1.43 percent from $44.65 on
May 27, 2016 to $45.29 on June 3, 2016. Brent was sold for $49.96
on June 3, 2016. The present rise in crude oil price can be
attributed to oil production shocks in several oil-exporting countries, and the
general expectation of a further cut in output following the OPEC meeting in
Vienna on June 2, 2016. However, the OPEC meeting ended with no agreement on
production quotas. In Nigeria, oil production level increased in the period
under review, following repairs on some of the damaged oil and gas facilities. Precisely,
Nigerias output increased by 200,000 barrels on June 3, 2016 to 1.6 million
barrels.