Forex

Banks Defy CBN Directive as Dollar Scarcity Grips Nigeria’s Foreign Exchange Market

Customers face limitations on foreign currency withdrawals as banks defy CBN’s directive, causing concerns in the marketdol

Published

11 months ago

June 27, 2023

Samed Olukoya

In the wake of recent market reforms introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), there are growing concerns that banks are neglecting the CBN’s directive to grant customers unrestricted access to foreign currencies from their domiciliary accounts.

Despite the changes implemented by the CBN, which have led to a significant transformation in the foreign exchange market, banks continue to restrict the amount of foreign currency that customers can withdraw, citing scarcity as the main reason.

Investigation reveals that this restriction by banks is impeding the supply of foreign currency to the market as dealers and customers are frustrated with the situation, complaining on how the scarcity of foreign currency is adversely affecting the market.

However, the market reforms have unintentionally resulted in exchange rate convergence, with the US dollar trading within a narrow band across all three segments of the market—the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window, the Bureau De Changes (BDCs), and the black market.

Meanwhile, dealers across all market segments are grappling with acute scarcity of US dollars, even though the CBN resumed supplying the foreign currency the previous week.

According to data from FMDQ, the I&E window’s exchange rate closed at N770.17 per dollar on Friday, reflecting a 16.2% depreciation of the Naira compared to the previous week’s closing rate of N663.04 per dollar.

In the parallel market, the Naira also depreciated, trading between N765 and N770 per dollar at the close of business, up from N759 per dollar the previous week.

The downward trend of the Naira in both the official market and parallel market began following the CBN’s announcement of “Operational Changes to the Foreign Exchange Market.”

These changes included the elimination of multiple exchange rates/segments and the reintroduction of the willing seller, willing buyer model in the I&E window.

Since the announcement, the Naira has experienced a 63% depreciation in the I&E window, starting from N471.67 per dollar on Tuesday, June 13th. In the same period, the Naira also depreciated by 20% in the parallel market, from N755 per dollar.

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Samed Olukoya

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 to Naira Exchange Rate Today 20th May 2024

The black market, also known as the parallel market or Aboki fx, US dollar to Nigerian Naira exchange rate as of May 20th, 2024 stood at 1 USD to ₦1,530.

Published

5 hours ago

May 20, 2024

Samed Olukoya

The black market, also known as the parallel market or Aboki fx, US dollar to Nigerian Naira exchange rate as of May 20th, 2024 stood at 1 USD to ₦1,530.

Recent data from Bureau De Change (BDC) reveals that buyers in the Lagos Parallel Market purchased a dollar for ₦1,540 and sold it at ₦1,530 on Friday, May 17th, 2024.

This indicates a slight improvement in the Naira exchange rate 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: ₦1,530
Selling Rate: ₦1,520

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.

Naira

Black Market Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate Today 17th May 2024

The black market, also known as the parallel market or Aboki fx, US dollar to Nigerian Naira exchange rate as of May 17th, 2024 stood at 1 USD to ₦1,540.

Published

3 days ago

May 17, 2024

Samed Olukoya

The black market, also known as the parallel market or Aboki fx, US dollar to Nigerian Naira exchange rate as of May 17th, 2024 stood at 1 USD to ₦1,540.

Recent data from Bureau De Change (BDC) reveals that buyers in the Lagos Parallel Market purchased a dollar for ₦1,560 and sold it at ₦1,550 on Thursday, May 16th, 2024.

This indicates a slight improvement in the Naira exchange rate 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: ₦1,540
Selling Rate: ₦1,530

Forex

SEC and ABCON Explore Collaboration for ‘Kolectyomoni’ Digital Currency Platform

Published

3 days ago

May 17, 2024

Samed Olukoya

The Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) has initiated talks with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to explore collaboration on its upcoming digital currency market platform, ‘Kolectyomoni’.

This move was underscored during an official visit by ABCON representatives to the newly appointed Director General of the SEC, Dr. Timi Agama. Aminu Gwadabe, President of ABCON, conveyed the association’s eagerness to engage with SEC to ensure the smooth operation of its digital currency platform.

Gwadabe emphasized that ABCON recognizes the regulatory oversight of SEC in the financial sector and seeks its guidance to navigate the complexities of the digital currency market.

He pointed out that while digital currencies hold immense potential for financial inclusion and innovation, they also present regulatory challenges that require collaborative efforts between industry stakeholders and regulatory bodies.

Highlighting the significance of embracing digital currencies, Gwadabe noted, “The future of BDC’s business is digital currency.”

He stressed the growing adoption of digital currencies among Nigerians, citing statistics that reveal a rising number of participants in the digital currency ecosystem, with a substantial market size of $9 billion annually.

In response, Dr. Timi Agama expressed SEC’s openness to support and facilitate the growth of the digital currency sector in Nigeria.

He acknowledged ABCON’s initiative in launching the ‘Kolectyomoni’ platform and assured of SEC’s cooperation in providing regulatory guidance and oversight.

Agama reaffirmed SEC’s commitment to fostering innovation in the financial sector while ensuring investor protection and market integrity.

He underscored the importance of collaboration between regulators and industry players to develop robust frameworks that foster innovation and safeguard against potential risks.

Furthermore, Agama encouraged ABCON to finalize the development of the ‘Kolectyomoni’ digital currency platform and submit it to the SEC for thorough review and assessment by the technical team.

He emphasized the need for timely regulatory oversight to address emerging trends in the digital currency market and maintain regulatory compliance.