Nigeria Economic Update (Issue 3)

According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), a 0.28% month-on-month increase in the average price of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) was recorded as the price in December 2020 increased to N224.37 from N223.74 in November 2020¹. Similarly, the average price for the refilling of a 5kg cylinder for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Cooking Gas) has increased by 0.12% month-on-month to N1949.75 in December 2020 from N1947.47 in the previous month². The results were similar regarding the refilling of a 12.5kg cylinder with a 1.75% month-on-month increase. Contrarily, the average price paid by consumers for premium motor spirit (petrol) decreased month-on-month by -0.94% to N165.70 from N167.27 in the previous month³. Overall, in month of December 2020, gas prices rose most likely as a result of rising crude oil prices in the international market. Low-income households are less likely to be affected given that their consumption of these products is relatively lower than middle- and high-income households. However, the general decline in income due to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic makes the increment nonetheless an economic burden.

Nigeria Economic Review

Global economic growth remained fairly stable in 2016Q3 with baseline projections for global growth at 3.1 percent and 2.4 percent by International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank respectively. Growth in developed countries was moderate but unevenly distributed: while the U.S and the UK showed improvements, growth in other economies remained tepid. Among emerging countries, India witnessed higher growth while growth in China remained constant but the Chinese Yuan continued to appreciate. Given that India is Nigerias major crude oil importer, improving economic conditions in India may translate into rising demand for Nigerias crude oil. However, the continuous appreciation of the Yuan poses significant inflationary threat in Nigeria given the high level of imports from China. Subdued global demand, weak trade, uncertainties in commodity prices and consequences of the Brexit were the key constraining factors to growth over the period. In addition, growth in Sub-Saharan African countries remained generally slow on the account of low commodity price, political turmoil, and inconsistent government policies.

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