The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported a contraction in Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the second quarter of 2020.1 The report stated a contraction of -6.10% in comparison to the 1.87% growth that was recorded in the first quarter of the year. This contraction is attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, the consequential decline of output and the crashing of oil prices. Nigeria slowly recovered from recession in 2017 and has been on a gradual path towards growth. However, the current GDP contractions indicate that a second recession could be approaching. Steep declines in GDP growth calls for the diversification of the economy to stimulate growth in various areas including agriculture and agribusiness, manufacturing, and real estate. In addition, overreliance on global value chains particularly in the manufacturing sector should be curbed in order to improve resilience.
September 28, 2020
Nigeria Economic Update (Issue 36)
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Nigeria Economic Update (Issue 43)
Crude oil prices have sustained upward increases for the past few weeks in October. While upward trajectory of crude oil prices is expected to be sustained in the short term in line with OPECs production cuts deal expected to run until March 2018, it is important to note that crude oil prices would remain volatile. The Nigerian government therefore should take advantage of periods of high revenue from crude oil exports to develop other sectors (such as Agriculture, Manufacturing and Services sectors) of the economy as key exporting and revenue generation sectors, and thus minimize volatility risks
Africa Economic Update (Issue 7)
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) slightly revised upward growth projections for SubSaharan Africa by 0.1 percentage point in 2017 but retained growth estimates for 2018.1 Precisely, growth estimate in the region was increased from 2.6 percent in April 2017 forecast to 2.7 percent in July 2017 forecast, while it was retained at 3.5 percent for 2018. The slight upward revision in 2017 is attributable to an upgrade in South Africas growth prospect from 0.8 percent in April 2017 to 1.0 percent in July 2017. Despite the upward 2017 revision, 2018 forecast for South Africa was revised down from 1.6 percent in April 2017 to 1.2 percent in July 2017. Growth forecast for Nigeria remained unchanged at 0.8 percent and 1.9 percent for 2017 and 2018 respectively.