Nigeria’s Annual Remittance Inflow Estimated at $24 Billion -CBN

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has started focusing on how to better harness Nigeria’s huge diaspora remittances as seen in recent foreign exchange policy geared towards stimulating growth and fast-tracking economic recovery with foreign inflows.

On Thursday, the apex bank said it adjusted forex policy to service the economy with diaspora remittances and curb the excesses of few unscrupulous forex dealers.

“In an effort to boost remittance inflows and foster an environment that would enable faster, cheaper, and more convenient flow of remittances back to Nigeria, the Central Bank of Nigeria, on November 30, 2020, announced a new policy initiative, which would help to support these objectives,” Godwin Emefiele stated.

Speaking further, he said, “Given the estimated annual remittance inflow of close to $24bn, which could help in improving our balance of payment position, reduce our dependence on external borrowing and mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on foreign exchange inflows into the country, the CBN sought to find ways to support improved remittance inflows into the country through official channels.”

“Based on this premise, we analyzed data on IMTO inflows into the country over the past year, and through our investigations discovered that some IMTOs, rather than compete on improving transaction volumes and create more efficient ways for Nigerians in the Diaspora to remit funds, resorted to engaging in arbitrage arrangements on the naira dollar exchange rate, which to a large extent resulted in a significant drop in flows into the country. It also encouraged the use of unsafe unofficial channels, which also supported diversion of remittance flows meant for Nigeria, thereby undermining our Foreign Exchange management framework.