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Lagos Chamber of Commerce Advised FG on Borrowing, Proffer Solutions to Foreign Exchange Crises

LCCI lamented that additional borrowings will further increase Nigeria’s debt-servicing bill

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The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( LCCI) has advised the Federal Government to explore alternative ways to finance the deficit in the 2023 budget proposal. LCCI lamented that additional borrowings will further increase Nigeria’s debt-servicing bill.

Investors King understands that the 2023 budget proposal as submitted to the National Assembly by the president has a deficit of N10.78 trillion.

Speaking at the organisation’s 134th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos, LCCI President, Dr Olawale Cole, stated that although the chamber does not totally frown at the budget deficits, the chamber, however, is not disposed to issuing new commercial loans as well as bilateral and multilateral loans to finance the deficit. 

Dr. Olawale added that while President Buhari alongside other African presidents is seeking debt cancelation from international creditors, the presidents across the African continent keep piling up debts. 

“The world is a bit confused at our president’s well-publicized call for debt cancellation at the last United Nations General Assembly,” he noted.

Speaking further on the danger of the country’s incessant borrowing, Olawale said “the borrowings are significantly increasing, and Nigeria is struggling to service these debts due to revenue mobilisation challenges and an increased fuel subsidy burden”.

“The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that debt servicing may gulp 100 percent of the federal government’s revenue by 2026 if the government fails to implement adequate measures to improve revenue generation,” he lamented. 

Similarly, the LCCI president also spoke on the foreign exchange challenges in Nigeria. He noted that the major cause of the fall in naira is a result of the drop in oil output and weak production amid increased demand for foreign currency. 

“The real solution to our forex scarcity crises is to boost production and expand exports. We must also resolve the crises around oil production, as 80 percent of forex earnings come from oil and gas exports,” he said. 

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Loans

Nigeria in Talks with World Bank for $1bn Loans to Aid Displaced Persons and Rural Development

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In a bid to tackle the challenges confronting internally displaced persons (IDPs) and bolster rural development initiatives, the Nigerian government has entered negotiations with the World Bank for loans totaling $1 billion.

This financial infusion aims to address the pressing needs of IDPs and uplift rural communities across the nation.

The proposed loans, detailed in World Bank documents titled ‘Solutions for the Internally Displaced and Host Communities Project’ and ‘Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project – Scale Up,’ signify a concerted effort by the government to provide comprehensive support to vulnerable populations and enhance economic opportunities in rural areas.

With an allocation of $500 million earmarked for IDP assistance and an additional $550 million dedicated to rural access and agricultural marketing, these loans underscore the government’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth and resilience within communities grappling with displacement and economic challenges.

The World Bank’s involvement underscores the global community’s recognition of Nigeria’s efforts to address humanitarian crises and promote sustainable development.

The loans are poised to fund initiatives aimed at improving access to basic services, fostering social cohesion, and enhancing livelihood opportunities for IDPs and their host communities, particularly in conflict-affected regions of the country.

Furthermore, the infusion of funds into rural access and agricultural marketing endeavors is poised to unlock new pathways for economic growth, empower local farmers, and bridge the gap between rural communities and broader markets.

As negotiations progress, stakeholders anticipate transformative impacts that will propel Nigeria towards a more prosperous and inclusive future for all its citizens.

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Senate Initiates Probe into N30tn Ways and Means Loans under Buhari Administration

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The Nigerian Senate has embarked on a comprehensive investigation into the disbursement and utilization of the N30 trillion Ways and Means loans obtained by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Ways and Means facility allows the CBN to provide financial support to the government to cover budget shortfalls.

The decision to probe the massive loans comes amid concerns about the transparency and accountability surrounding the utilization of these funds, particularly as the country grapples with economic challenges, food crises, rising inflation, and worsening insecurity.

The Senate’s investigation aims to shed light on how the substantial overdrafts from the CBN were acquired and expended under the leadership of former President Buhari.

There is growing apprehension that the indiscriminate spending of the overdrafts, particularly during Godwin Emefiele’s tenure as CBN governor, may have contributed significantly to the current economic predicament facing the nation.

The probe will delve into the details of the N30 trillion overdrafts, with a specific focus on examining the purpose for which the funds were allocated and how they were utilized.

Also, the Senate will scrutinize the N10 trillion disbursed under the Anchor Borrowers Scheme, as well as the utilization of $2.4 billion out of the $7 billion earmarked for forex transactions.

The initiative underscores the Senate’s commitment to ensuring transparency, fiscal responsibility, and prudent financial management in the country’s economic affairs.

It is anticipated that the probe will unearth vital insights into the financial transactions of the past administration, enabling corrective measures to be taken to address any mismanagement or discrepancies discovered.

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Foreign Loans Dominate Nigeria’s 2023 Capital Importation, Hits $2.31bn – NBS Report

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In 2023, foreign loans dominated Nigeria’s capital importation, according to the latest report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The report reveals that out of the total $3.91 billion foreign investment inflow, foreign loans accounted for $2.31 billion, representing 59.1% of the total capital importation.

The NBS data indicates a substantial increase in foreign capital inflow compared to previous quarters.

The final quarter of 2023 saw a notable surge, with foreign capital importation rising from $654.65 million in the third quarter to $1.09 billion.

This surge reflects increased investor confidence and interest in Nigeria’s economic prospects.

However, the dominance of foreign loans in the capital importation landscape raises concerns about Nigeria’s debt profile and sustainability.

While foreign loans can provide crucial funding for development projects and infrastructure, excessive reliance on borrowing poses risks to the country’s fiscal health and economic stability.

It underscores the urgent need for prudent debt management and strategies to diversify funding sources.

The breakdown of the capital importation further reveals that Nigeria received $433.87 million in the first quarter, $771.53 million in the second quarter, $507.71 million in the third quarter, and $594.75 million in the fourth quarter as foreign loans.

The report underscores the importance of addressing structural challenges and creating an enabling environment to attract diverse forms of foreign investment beyond loans.

It emphasizes the need for policies that promote sustainable economic growth, attract foreign direct investment, and reduce reliance on external borrowing.

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