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Naira to Dollar Exchange Rate to Hit N800 as CBN Floats Nigerian Naira

The Federal Government is expected to float the Nigerian Naira as widely pushed by multilateral organisations in a move to unify Nigeria’s multiple foreign exchange rates.

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New Naira Notes

The Federal Government is expected to float the Nigerian Naira as widely pushed by multilateral organisations in a move to unify Nigeria’s multiple foreign exchange rates.

Sources familiar with the discussion said buyers and sellers of foreign currency in the official FX market are now allowed to quote rates they find comfortable in the FX market, as against previous practice where rates were dictated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The Investors & Exporters (I&E) window is now quoting a range of between N750 and N755/$, according to customers who cited emails received from their banks.

That implies a 21 percent decline in the naira compared to the previous rate of N463/$ which the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is still quoting as the I&E rate on its website. However, the last time the CBN updated the rate was June 9.

The latest move by the CBN follows President Bola Tinubuā€™s suspension of CBN governor Godwin Emefiele whose unorthodox monetary policies had become a stumbling block to investors and the economy.

The exchange rate could go as high as N800 by the end of today, according to some bankers, who say an initial knee-jerk reaction could cause the naira to weaken sharply before recovering some lost ground.

ā€œGiven that this new rate in the official market is the same as the parallel market, there is no incentive for people and businesses with genuine transactions to patronize the parallel market, hence FX trading activity in the parallel market will slow down significantly,ā€ Abiola Rasaq, an economist and former head of investor relations at United Bank for Africa.

ā€œSubsequently, the official market should attract more FX supply and rate should gradually ease in the I&E window, and such would cause rates in the parallel market to also ease,ā€ Rasaq said.

The CBNā€™s next move should be to prioritise supply of dollars to support the naira float.

ā€œThe convergence of the rates is only the first step, the next step is the most crucial and that is to boost supply into the market,ā€ a source told BusinessDay.

ā€œNo foreign investor will come without a hedge and that can only come when there is assurance of supply. Thatā€™s the hard work,ā€ the source said.

Another knowledgeable source is of the view that allowing the market to determine the FX rate is only the first of six steps to fixing Nigeriaā€™s broken FX market.

The second step must be to provide a hedge mechanism that is priced in line with the market while the third step is to ensure market yields are attractive to Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPI).

The next steps are to ensure transparency and remove all controls around domiciliary accounts. Finally, there is also a need to clear the dollar backlog in the market in order to attract FPIs.

ā€œThe focus is on supply,ā€ the source said.

Expectations are high after the initial move to fix Nigeriaā€™s broken FX market.

Chidi Uzo, a fund manager at Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Ltd, said the move was ā€œa bold step in the right direction.ā€

ā€œHowever this should go in tandem with the lifting of capital restrictions for investors waiting on the sidelines to repatriate their funds. We expect foreign investor participation to be swayed by the extent to which capital is allowed to flow freely,ā€ Uzo said.

ā€œOverall, the effective harmonisation of Nigeriaā€™s multiple exchange rates by allowing market forces to determine the fair value of the naira should immediately reverse the multi-year widening spreads between the official exchange rate and the parallel market exchange rates,ā€ he said.

 

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

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Naira

Black Market Dollar (USD) to Naira (NGN) Exchange Rate Today 25th July 2024

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Naira Exchange Rates - Investors King

The black market, also known as the parallel market or Aboki fx, US dollar to Nigerian Naira exchange rate as of July 25th, 2024 stood at 1 USD to ā‚¦1,595.

Recent data from Bureau De Change (BDC) reveals that buyers in the Lagos Parallel Market purchased a dollar for ā‚¦1,580 and sold it at ā‚¦1,570 on Wednesday, July 24th, 2024.

This indicates a decline in the Naira exchange rate value when compared to today’s rate.

The black market rate plays a crucial role for investors and participants, offering a real-time reflection of currency dynamics outside official or regulated exchange channels.

Monitoring these rates provides insights into the immediate value of the Naira against the dollar, guiding decision-making processes for individuals and businesses alike.

It’s important to note that while the black market offers valuable insights, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not officially recognize its existence.

The CBN advises individuals engaging in forex transactions to utilize official banking channels, emphasizing the importance of compliance with regulatory frameworks.

How much is dollar to naira today in the black market

For those navigating the currency exchange landscape, here are the latest figures for the black market exchange rate:

  • Buying Rate: ā‚¦1,595
  • Selling Rate: ā‚¦1,585

As economic conditions continue to evolve, staying informed about currency exchange rates empowers individuals to make informed financial decisions. While the black market provides immediate insights, adherence to regulatory guidelines ensures stability and transparency in forex transactions.

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Naira Hits Five-Month Low Amid Dollar Demand Surge

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Naira to Dollar Exchange- Investors King Rate - Investors King

Nigeria’s naira extended its losing streak to a fifth consecutive day as it slipped to its weakest level since March despite the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) interventions.

The naira closed at 1,577.29 per dollar on Monday, down from Fridayā€™s N1,563.8 per dollar onĀ FMDQ.

This decline comes despite the CBN’s efforts to stabilize the currency by injecting $122.7 million through dollar sales into the market.

However, analysts argue that these amounts were insufficient to balance the robust domestic demand for the greenback.

ā€œThe CBN has been in the market selling $50 million from time to time, which is not enough,ā€ commented Carlo Morelli, senior portfolio manager at Azimut Investment SA.

Morelli attributes the persistent pressure on the naira to capital outflows and a lack of investor confidence in the currency, despite the central bankā€™s commendable efforts in tightening monetary policy and reducing naira liquidity.

Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso has aggressively raised interest rates in an attempt to curb inflation and stabilize the naira.

The benchmark borrowing rate now stands at 26.25%, following an increase of 14.75 percentage points since May 2022.

However, the currency has weakened by approximately 70% against the dollar since exchange-rate controls were eased last year.

ā€œRestoring foreign exchange broad confidence is the last step, and the huge volatility in May delayed the return to normalcy,ā€ Morelli added.

ā€œMany foreign investors are still waiting for more evidence of stability before considering Nigeria investable.ā€

The naira’s decline makes it the second-worst performing currency tracked by Bloomberg in 2024, trailing only the Lebanese pound.

The recent depreciation has been fueled by both seasonal dollar demand and ongoing investor skepticism.

The central bank’s next policy decision, set for July 23, is expected to address these issues. Monday’s data showing annual inflation quickened to 34.2% in June suggests that another rate hike might be on the horizon.

In a bid to bolster the naira, the central bank has increased Nigeriaā€™s foreign exchange reserves to $35 billion as of July 8, the highest level since May 30, 2023.

This boost is attributed to recent loans from the World Bank and the African Export-Import Bank.

Omobola Adu, an analyst at BancTrust & Co. Investment Bank, noted that recent pressure on the naira has also stemmed from corporates and individuals preparing for foreign vacations.

ā€œBoosting the supply of FX into the country remains crucial for the government to alleviate pressure on the naira,ā€ Adu stated.

He suggested that a eurobond or local dollar bond sale later this year, along with increased support from multilateral institutions, could help shore up reserves.

Despite these challenges, Central Bank Governor Cardoso remains optimistic, asserting that the worst of the currency’s volatility is over.

He reiterated this sentiment on Thursday in Lagos, addressing business leaders and highlighting improvements in crude output and capital inflows as positive signs.

Nigeria, Africa’s largest crude producer, relies heavily on oil sales, which account for at least 80% of its export earnings.

The country’s combined crude oil and condensate output rose to 1.5 million barrels per day in June, the highest since February, according to the upstream petroleum regulatory commission.

ā€œWhile the naira may be undervalued, for the naira to stabilize and perhaps regain ground, large portfolio and capital inflows are needed,ā€ said Samir Gadio, head of Africa strategy at Standard Chartered Plc in London.

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Naira Plummets to Three-Month Low of N1,530 Per Dollar on Black Market

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New Naira notes

The naira has plunged to a three-month low of N1,530 per dollar on the parallel market, also known as the black market, amid renewed pressure on demand for the greenback by end users.

This represents a 0.65 percent or N10 decline from the N1,520 rate quoted last Friday.

According to data from online sources and street traders, this is the weakest level since March 19, 2024, when the naira was quoted at N1,570 per dollar.

“The dollar’s value has risen due to increased demand from travelers and importers. Currently, we purchase dollars at N1,520 and sell them at N1,530,” a street trader stated in Lagos.

On the official Foreign Exchange (FX) market, however, the naira saw a slight gain.

It appreciated by 0.70 percent on Friday, closing at N1,509.67 per dollar compared to N1,520.24 on Thursday, according to data from the FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited.

Despite this appreciation on the official market, the parallel market continues to experience significant volatility.

The dollar supplied by willing buyers and sellers decreased by 32.64 percent, falling to $116.88 million on Friday from $173.51 million recorded on Thursday. This drop in supply further exacerbates the pressure on the naira in the parallel market.

The intraday high on Friday closed at N1,535 compared to N1,550 on Thursday, while the intraday low was quoted at N1,450 on Friday, down from N1,430 on Thursday.

Economic analysts suggest that the disparity between the official and parallel market rates indicates underlying issues in Nigeria’s foreign exchange management and economic policies.

The continuous demand for dollars by travelers and importers highlights the challenges faced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in stabilizing the naira.

As the demand for the dollar remains strong, the naira’s depreciation could have far-reaching effects on the economy, including increased inflation and higher costs of imported goods.

The CBN may need to implement additional measures to address the ongoing demand and supply

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