The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently announced a ban on the importation of maize/corn1. This ban adds maize to the list of 41 other products some of which include rice, cement, margarine, and palm kernel that had earlier been banned2. The embargo comes as a means to further encourage local production, stimulate economic growth as well as secure local jobs and livelihoods. Available data shows that Nigeria imported 400,000 tons of maize in 2019 the same as it did in 20183. However, forex restrictions on the importation of rice, coupled with the closure of the Nigerian land borders to neighboring countries, has seen the country move from a major importer to the largest producer of rice in Africa.4 By extension, it is expected that the addition of maize to the forex restriction list will help to stimulate its domestic production and thus reduce or eliminate dependence on imported maize. Consequently, this effort is also expected to limit domestic demand for forex and curb the exchange rate volatility.
August 12, 2020
Nigeria Economic Update (Issue 28)
Related
Nigeria Economic Update (Issue 28)
OPEC
weekly basket price increased marginally from $45.09 on June 17, 2016 to $45.95
on June 24, 2016, while Nigerias bonny light increased from $47.61
to $48.90 (with a peak of $49.2 on June 23, 2016)within the same
period. The rise in oil price, amidst downward pressures, was likely driven by
expectations that the UK would remain in the EU. However, price fell (to
$47.61) on June 24, 2016 following the outcome of the UK referendum (on June
23, 2016) to leave the EU. This was driven by concerns over a possible
contagion effect of further disintegration on the EU (a major oil consumer) which
could drive down oil demand in the longer term. In the medium term, oil prices could face
further pressure as a result of rising crude oil output and attenuating production
disruptions in Canada and Nigeria. Although, the recent rise in oil prices seem
transient, Nigeria can benefit from the marginal rise if disruptions in oil production
is quickly resolved
Nigeria Economic Update (Issue 29)
Global oil price edged upwards in the review week. International crude benchmark, Brent, rose week-on-week by 3.1 percent to $50 per barrel as at July 21, 20173 a level it had not attained since June. The remarkable gains followed demand-side progress earlier statistics from China showed increase in crude imports, indicating prospects of higher demand. This was also complimented by the huge drop in US domestic crude production (Crude reserves fell by 4.7 million barrels). If the trend is sustained, Nigeria could record further rise in its Gross Federally Collected Revenue. Nevertheless, there remains a need for Nigeria to overcome the challenge of harnessing its oil and gas resources by making strategic policy choices andensuring coordination in policy implementation to minimize macroeconomic distortions.