For the 12th consecutive period, the Monetary Policy Committee voted to retain all rates at the end of the policy meeting held on July 23-24, 2018 – MPR at 14 percent, CRR at 22.5 percent, Liquidity ratio at 30 percent and asymmetric corridor at +200 and -500 around the MPR1. A review of laudable developments in key macroeconomic indicators and positive economic growth in the first half of 2018 informed the committee’s stance to hold all rates. However, the committee noted constraints to economic growth outlook in the second half of 2018, especially slow and irregular implementation of the 2018 expansionary fiscal budget that would derail its liquidity impact, as well as possible external shocks. Going forward, there is need for a standardized budgetary calendar that should be adhered to mandatorily in order to guide public and private sector investment plan and foster economic stability
Macroeconomic Report & Economic Updates
August 20, 2018
Nigeria Economic Update (Issue 30)
For the 12th consecutive period, the Monetary Policy Committee voted to retain all rates at the end of the policy meeting held on July 23-24, 2018 – MPR at 14 percent, CRR at 22.5 percent, Liquidity ratio at 30 percent and asymmetric corridor at +200 and -500 around the MPR1. A review of laudable developments […]
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Africa Economic Update (Issue 3)
Available data shows that headline inflation rates increased and remained high in most countries in the region in February 2017. Specifically, inflation rate increased in Egypt (30.2), Burundi (20.9 percent), Kenya (10.28), and Ethiopia (8.5 percent), while it eased in Nigeria (17.78 percent), Ghana (13.2 percent), South Africa (6.3 percent), and Namibia (7.8 percent). Seychelles (-0.6 percent) remained in deflation while Sudan (32.86 percent) and Tunisia (4.6 percent) had unchanged inflation rates within the review period. Increased cost of food continued to plague the region as food component of inflation remained the major driver of inflation. Drought in East Africa continues to compound price pressure in the region. Inflation rates in Burundi6, Kenya and Ethiopia increased by 8, 3.29, and 2.4 percentage points respectively, signifying the three highest price increase in the review period
Nigeria Economic Update (Issue 12)
The Naira sustained its appreciation trajectory at the parallel market in the review week. Precisely, naira gained 13.3 percent (Week-on-Week) to exchange at N390/$ on March 24, 2017. Reduced pressure on the naira followed moderation in speculative activities as a result of increased forex sales and intervention by the CBN (daily intervention of $1.5 million at the interbank market.) The aim of CBN interventions (narrowing the gap between interbank and parallel market rates) seems to be on course with the continued appreciation of the naira at alternative markets. While current approach of the apex bank proves effective in improving international value of naira in the short term, however, it is expedient that the bank articulates clear and credible flexible exchange rate policy to sustain the momentum and enhance confidence in the forex market in the medium term. Nonetheless, the sustainability of the exchange rate gains is partly dependent on the prospect of crude oil price and production which is outside the purview of the monetary authorities.