The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has introduced the CBN “Naira 4 Dollar Scheme” as an incentive for senders and recipients of international money transfers.1 More specifically, all recipients of diaspora remittances through CBN licensed International Money Transfers Operators (IMOs) will be paid N5 per $1 received as remittance inflows in addition to the USD sent from abroad. This will however last from March 6, 2021 to May 8, 2021. The Naira 4 Dollar Scheme is being put in place to incentivize foreign exchange inflows into the country and increase foreign reserves. The scheme is likely to deter the CBN from further devaluing the currency following improved foreign exchange inflows. However, the effect of the scheme on Nigeria’s balance of payment account should be seriously considered in order not to push the country into further deficit.
March 24, 2021
Nigeria Economic Update (Issue 10)
Related
Nigeria Economic Update (Issue 15)
Recent data on Nigerias labour market points to a
rise in the rate of unemployment and underemployment in 2015Q4. Specifically,
compared to 2015Q3, the rate of unemployment and underemployment rose to 10.4
per cent and 18.7 per cent from 9.9 percent and 17.4 percent respectively.
These statistics however masks the true situation of the youth employment in
Nigeria. Disaggregated data by age category shows that unemployment and
underemployment within the youth age category (15-24) was remarkably higher
than the national average, at 19 and 34.5 per cent respectively.
Nigeria Economic Update (Issue 36)
Recently
released GDP figures reveals that the three major sectors recorded positive and
negative growth rates individually in 2017Q2. Firstly, Agricultural
sector grew Year on Year by 3.01 percent, down from 3.39 percent in 2017Q1- driven by
weaker output in crop production and Fishing sub-sectors. This is not
unconnected with the planting season and the shortage of grainsfor livestock/fish respectively.