According to the Nigeria Electricity Report for Q4 2023, revenue collected by the DISCOs during the period was N294.95 billion, an increase from N260.16 billion in Q3 2023. The increment in revenue is associated with two factors – an increase in customers and electricity supply. The number of customers grew by 3.4% to 12.12 million in Q4 2023 from 11.71 million in Q3 2023. Likewise, the electricity supply grew by 12.2% to 6,432. (Gwh) in Q4 2023 from 5,732 (Gwh) in the previous quarter. However, the rate of increase in revenue generation is likely to be hampered by low metering rates. As of Q4 2023, 46% of the 12.12 million customers are metered. Recently, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) approved a new tariff affecting only Band A.
The latest report on the Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) in Nigeria by the NBS shows that the national average cost of a healthy diet rose to N938 per day in February 2024, representing an increase of N80 from the previous month. The cost of a healthy diet (CoHD) is the most affordable combination of locally available food items that meet the global food dietary guidelines. This implies that a Nigerian would need to spend N938 for a healthy diet.
In its recent Money and Credit statistics, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) revealed that bank’s credit to the private sector increased month-on-month (MoM) by 5.99 percent from N76.29 trillion in January 2024 to N80.86 trillion in February 2024. Year-on-Year, this represents a N39.11 trillion (93.67 percent) percent increase from N41.75 trillion recorded in February 2023. The data further shows that credit to the government fell by 6.2 percent from N36.17 trillion in January 2024 to N33.92 trillion in February 2024.
Nigeria’s external reserves rose slightly to $34.49 billion on March 21, 2024. The increment could be attributed to multiple factors including inflow of foreign capital and an increase in global oil prices. Given the crucial role of foreign reserves in fulfilling import obligations and stabilizing exchange rates, the government must prioritize initiatives to bolster reserves and prevent depletion. A stronger Naira against the US Dollar hinges on the country's foreign reserve levels. Additionally, diversifying export earnings beyond crude oil sales, the primary source of foreign earnings, is imperative.
The recent Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that Nigeria recorded a trade deficit of N1.41 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2023 (Q4 2023). In the quarter, Nigeria's total trade was ₦26.80 trillion, implying a 38.24 percent increase from the value recorded in the third quarter of 2023 (N19.38 trillion) and a 128.64 percent increase from the value recorded in the corresponding period in 2022 (11.72 trillion). Total exports stood at N12.69 trillion, and imports at N14.10 trillion.