Nigeria Economic Update (Issue 44)

The manufacturing and non-manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for the month of October showed a slowing contraction relative to previous months, making it the 7^th consecutive month both indices have been below the 50-index point benchmark.¹ Manufacturing PMI increased from 46.9 index points to 49.4 index points while non-manufacturing increased from 41.9 index points to 46.8 index points, but still below the 50-index point benchmark. However, 6 out of 14 subsectors in the manufacturing sector recorded an expansion relative to the previous month. In the non-manufacturing sector, only 3 out of the 7 sub sectors recorded growth relative to the previous month. Production is expected to improve significantly as the economy rebounds and the festive season approaches, thus both manufacturing and non-manufacturing PMI are expected to advance towards the 50-index point benchmark. However, the increase in PMI, as a result of increased demand, is likely to be associated with rising inflation. As such, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should increase efforts towards addressing the rapid increase in the price of commodities.