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Forex

Naira Strengthens Against Dollar Amidst $3 Billion Crude Oil Repayment Loan Surge

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New Naira Notes

The Naira continued its bullish trend against the US Dollar on Thursday on the parallel segment of the foreign exchange (FX) market following the reverberations of a significant development – the securing of a $3 billion crude oil repayment loan by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) from the Africa Import and Export Bank (AFREXIM).

This strategic move was aimed at bolstering the stability of the local currency.

According to data from AbokiFX, a reputable online platform tracking parallel market exchange rates, as of 9:52 AM on Thursday, August 17, parallel market FX dealers were purchasing the Dollar at N835 and selling at N860.

These figures stand in stark contrast to the rates observed before news of the AFREXIM loan emerged on Wednesday. Back then, the greenback was being bought at N880 and sold at N910 by parallel market FX dealers.

Otega Ogra, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Digital/New Media, elucidated the purpose of the $3 billion Emergency Crude Repayment Loan from AFREXIM via a tweet.

He stated, “What’s the benefit of this loan to Nigeria? The loan will assist NNPC Limited in settling taxes and royalties in advance. It will also equip the Federal Government with the necessary dollar liquidity to stabilize the Naira, with limited risk.”

Addressing concerns about fuel prices, Ogra added, “Will this affect fuel prices? A strengthened Naira as a result of this initiative will lead to a reduction in fuel costs. This means that if the Naira appreciates in value, the cost of fuel will drop and further increases will be halted.”

The impact on subsidies was also discussed by the President’s aide: “What about subsidies? Are they coming back? No. A stronger Naira will result in lower prices from the current level, making subsidies unnecessary. The deregulation policy remains unchanged.”

Commenting on the economic outlook, a team of research analysts led by Damilare Ojo at Lagos-based Meristem expressed their perspective, “In our view, core inflation will remain elevated in the near term in light of the continued free-fall of the Naira. The outlook of the FX market is largely marked by uncertainty and volatility; as such, there is an urgent need for a unified strategy to address these challenges, involving enhancing FX liquidity, promoting export diversity, and fostering investors’ confidence through transparent policies.”

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that the headline inflation rate for July 2023 had risen by 129 basis points (bps) to 24.08 percent year-on-year (YoY), compared to 22.79 percent YoY in June 2023.

Before the recent developments, the gap between the official exchange rate and the parallel market rate had widened by about N200 in the past week, reaching N950/$ on the parallel market. However, the infusion of resources from Afrexim Bank in Cairo aimed to counter speculators and stabilize the FX market, leading to a notable reduction in this gap.

Economist Tunde Delu explained that the loan aims to bridge the FX supply gap, stating, “It is apparent that the short-term solution to the rising foreign exchange prices is to seek alternative supply avenues. One of the options open to the federal government is to seek foreign loans directly or through its appointed agencies. The implication would be a positive effect on the supply of FX, thereby pushing the price of FX down as the demand-supply gap shrinks.”

Omotayo Akorede Samuel, a corporate finance lawyer, underlined the commonality of the $3 billion Emergency Crude Repayment Loan from Afrexim, stating, “This is standard practice in the Oil and Gas industry. Crude oil repayment financing has several benefits for oil companies.” Samuel highlighted the advantage of utilizing such financing to repay debts without tapping into cash reserves. Furthermore, this approach enables companies to allocate cash reserves to other ventures, emphasizing the link between repayment and crude oil, and the flexibility it affords in loan settlement.

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Forex

Naira-Dollar Exchange Rate Hits N1000/$1 Amidst Forex Scarcity Turmoil

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Dr. Olayemi Michael Cardoso

The Nigerian naira’s exchange rate to the US dollar has remained a cause for concern as the exchange rate hovered around N1000/$1.

Earlier this week, Investors King reported that the exchange rate had weakened to N983/$1, but several social media sources indicate it reached as high as N1000/$1.

Meanwhile, on peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms, it is trading at N984 as of the latest update. Officially, the exchange rate closed at N770.7/$1 on the NIFEX window.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had announced a plan to clear a $10 billion foreign exchange backlog within two weeks, with Acting Governor Folashodun Shonubi stating that commercial banks would play a significant role in the process.

However, liquidity issues in the market have raised doubts about the feasibility of this plan.

Operators in the forex market have reported disarray, with many licensed bureau de change operators struggling to access dollars for trading. This scarcity has led to the emergence of various exchange rates, including rates on platforms like Binance and Dubai, reflecting the market’s complexity.

Experts, speaking at a recent Nairametrics ClubHouse session, expressed skepticism about the CBN’s timeline to improve forex liquidity, emphasizing the need for a well-executed strategy rather than short-term promises.

Adding to the complexity, the exchange rate depreciation coincides with President Tinubu’s trip to New York, where he seeks foreign direct investment for Nigeria. US Deputy Secretary of Treasury Wally Adeyemo mentioned the importance of Nigeria’s macroeconomic framework to attract such investments.

As Nigeria grapples with forex scarcity, the government faces the challenge of restoring confidence in its economic stability to attract much-needed foreign investments.

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Naira

Naira Declines Further as Exchange Rate Hits N980 on Black Market

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Naira Exchange Rates - Investors King

Nigeria’s economic woes seem to be deepening as the Naira continues its steep decline, reaching N980 against the US Dollar on the black market.

This alarming depreciation has sent shockwaves through the nation, raising questions about the stability of the country’s financial system and the effects of Naira devaluation.

However, as the Nigerian Naira continued to decline against its global counterparts, cryptocurrency attraction surged across the country.

According to a recent report by Chainalysis, Naira devaluation in 2022 has driven cryptocurrency transaction volume to $56.7 billion year-on-year, defying the Central Bank of Nigeria’s ban on crypto-related activities in the banking sector.

While the ban, implemented in February 2021, was expected to limit cryptocurrency transactions in the country and compel Nigerians to make payments using the central bank’s channels, more Nigerians continue to jump on cryptocurrency. Making Nigeria the second-highest crypto adopter.

Commenting on the report, Chainalysis said, “These dynamics are reflected in the data. Interest in Bitcoin and stablecoins has generally risen as the Naira’s value has decreased, particularly during the most recent extremely steep drops in June and July of 2023.”

The firm attributes Nigeria’s growing crypto economy to citizens seeking to preserve the value of their savings amidst rising inflation and debt. It also points out that crypto adoption may be a solution to Nigeria’s economic challenges, which have been exacerbated by political instability, the COVID-19 pandemic, and plummeting oil prices.

As Nigeria grapples with its currency’s decline, the crypto market offers a glimmer of hope. Despite regulatory constraints, Nigerians are turning to cryptocurrencies to secure their financial future, creating a unique financial landscape where digital assets thrive in the face of traditional currency devaluation.

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Black Market Rate

Naira to Dollar Black Market Exchange Rate September 21st, 2023

As of September 21st, 2023, the dollar to naira exchange rate is 1 USD to 980 NGN at the black market. This means that for every one US dollar, you can exchange it for ₦980, Investors King reports.

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New Naira Notes

As of September 21st, 2023, the dollar to naira exchange rate is 1 USD to 980 NGN at the black market. This means that for every one US dollar, you can exchange it for ₦980, Investors King reports.

This digital business news platform has obtained the official dollar to naira exchange rate in Nigeria today including the Black Market rates, Bureau De Change (BDC) rate, and CBN rates.

How Much is Dollar to Naira Today in Black Market

This rate is subject to change depending on a variety of factors including global economic trends, political developments, and market fluctuations. However, you can buy and sell 1 USD at ₦980 and ₦975 as of the time of writing today.

What is the current exchange rate of the dollar to naira in the black market today?

According to Investors King, as of the time this report was filed, a dollar can be purchased at the Lagos parallel market (black market) for ₦980 and sold for ₦975.

Exchange Rate of Dollar To Naira in Black Market Today?

Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) Black Market Exchange Rate Today
Buying Rate 975
Selling Rate 980

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Naira Exchange Rates for Banks

Investors King understands that although the dollar to naira opened at N980 per $1 in the parallel market today, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not acknowledge the parallel market, also referred to as the black market. The CBN has instructed individuals in need of forex to approach their bank as the I&E window is the sole recognized exchange.

On Thursday, September 21th, 2023, individuals in the black market purchased one US dollar for N980 and sold it for N975. This shows that the value of the Naira declined further when compared to Wednesday, September 20th, 2023 when the local currency was exchanged at N965 to a Dollar and a Dollar was purchased at N957.

To stay informed about the dollar to naira exchange rate, there are a number of reliable sources that you can turn to. Here are some tips for staying up-to-date:

  • Check the Central Bank of Nigeria’s website: The CBN is responsible for regulating the country’s monetary policy and is a reliable source for the latest exchange rates. You can check their website regularly for updates.
  • Follow financial news outlets: Financial news outlets such as Investors King, Bloomberg, Reuters, and CNBC provide regular updates on the global currency markets, including the dollar to naira exchange rate.
  • Use online currency converters: There are a number of online currency converters that allow you to quickly and easily check the exchange rate between the dollar and the naira.
  • Follow social media accounts of financial experts: Following social media accounts of financial experts such as analysts, economists, and financial advisors can give you valuable insights into the latest trends in the currency markets.

By staying informed about the dollar-to-naira exchange rate, you can make informed decisions when buying or selling foreign currencies. Whether you are a business owner looking to trade in foreign currencies or an individual looking to invest in the currency markets, knowledge of the latest exchange rates is key to success. Keep these tips in mind and stay informed about the latest trends in the global currency markets.

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