Finance

Naira Opens Lower Against The U.S. Dollar on Wednesday

Nigerian currency experiences a 0.38% decline against the US dollar at parallel market, raising concerns over exchange rate stability.

Published

11 months ago

July 5, 2023

Samed Olukoya

The foreign exchange (FX) market kicked off Wednesday with the Nigerian naira experiencing a depreciation of 0.38 percent against the US dollar at the parallel market.

As the morning trading commenced, the dollar was trading at N778, the same rate at which it closed on Tuesday. However, this rate was lower than the intraday trading rate of N775 witnessed on the same day.

Traders in the market expressed uncertainty, emphasizing that the current rate might fluctuate later in the day depending on the demand pressure. Dollar demand pressure was palpable at the Investors and Exporters (I&E) forex window on Tuesday, with eager buyers and sellers bidding as high as N820/$ and as low as N700/$.

The volume of dollar transactions in the market saw a decline of 16.71 percent, amounting to $73.86 million on Tuesday compared to the $88.68 million recorded on Monday. As a result, the naira experienced a depreciation of 3.50 percent, with the dollar quoted at N768.44 on Tuesday, whereas it was quoted at N741.50 on Monday at the official FX market, according to data from the FMDQ.

These recent developments in the FX market can be attributed to the comprehensive reform initiated in mid-June, which aimed to address three critical distortions.

These distortions included the absence of a price discovery mechanism, the existence of multiple FX windows, and institutional weaknesses like a lack of transparency and predictability, as stated in a report by the World Bank.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) took significant steps toward reform by abolishing the segmentation of the FX market across multiple windows and consolidating them into the Investors & Exporters window, effective from June 14.

This move allowed the naira to trade freely by reintroducing the willing buyer, willing seller mechanism at the I&E window, aligning the exchange rate for government transactions closer to the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Fixing (NAFEX) rate, enhancing transparency of orders, and eliminating ineffective schemes such as the RT-200 and Naira 4 Dollar Remittance programs.

The impact of these reforms was evident, as the naira experienced its largest single-day depreciation of 27 percent, plunging from N463 to N632 per US dollar.

The World Bank report highlights that to further enhance the efficiency of the FX market, it is crucial to remove FX restrictions, clearly communicate the operational aspects of the new FX regime, and implement a supportive monetary framework where the primary objective of price stability guides monetary policy actions.

As market participants navigate these changes, both buyers and sellers will closely monitor the FX market’s movements, anticipating fluctuations that may impact the exchange rate dynamics throughout the day.

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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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Finance

SEC and CIMA Forge Alliance to Enhance Financial Reporting Standards

Published

21 hours ago

May 20, 2024

Samed Olukoya

In a bid to elevate financial reporting standards within Nigeria’s public institutions, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced a strategic partnership with the Chartered Institute of Management Accounting (CIMA).

This collaboration aims to enforce adherence to financial reporting regulations and foster a culture of transparency and accountability across various sectors.

Emomotimi Agama, the Acting Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, revealed this development during a recent meeting with a delegation from CIMA in Abuja.

Agama said the SEC ensures ethical financial practices and compliance with reporting standards mandated by law.

He stressed that the commission would vigilantly monitor adherence to these standards and impose penalties for any violations.

“It is a great time that you have come to Nigeria. SEC is saddled with the responsibility of making the initial decision of ensuring that what is right is done and transparency in reporting financial statements by public companies is ensured. It is now law to do so and there are consequences for breaking the law,” Agama remarked.

Sarah Ghosh, the President of CIMA, echoed Agama’s sentiments, emphasizing inclusivity, sustainability, and innovation as the association’s core priorities.

Ghosh highlighted CIMA’s commitment to engaging with regulatory authorities to promote awareness of the association’s values and its potential to enhance financial reporting practices among public firms.

“CIMA is approaching more regulatory bodies to ensure that everyone is allowed to understand what the association stands for and its contribution to enhancing reporting on financial statements of public companies,” Ghosh declared.

The collaboration between SEC and CIMA signifies a proactive approach towards strengthening financial governance and fostering investor confidence in Nigeria’s capital market.

By leveraging CIMA’s expertise and SEC’s regulatory authority, the partnership aims to instill a culture of integrity and accountability in financial reporting processes, ultimately contributing to the country’s economic development.

Banking Sector

Financial Institutions Racked Up N678m in Fines Last Year

Published

22 hours ago

May 20, 2024

Samed Olukoya

Financial institutions in Nigeria paid a total of N678 million in fines in the 2023 financial year, according to analysis of their various financial statements.

The analysis examined the annual reports of nine prominent financial groups, including FBN Holdings, Access Holdings, Guaranty Trust Holding Company, Zenith Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, Fidelity Bank, Wema Bank, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, and FCMB Group.

These reports provided insights into the fines imposed by various regulatory authorities, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the National Insurance Commission, and others.

Compared to the previous year, the total amount of fines paid by these institutions decreased significantly by 89.25% from N6.31 billion in 2022 to N678 million in 2023.

This decline reflects improved regulatory compliance among financial institutions and signals a positive trend toward greater adherence to established guidelines and standards.

Among the financial groups analyzed, Zenith Bank stood out for its increase in penalties compared to the previous year. While the bank had incurred no fines in 2022, it paid N21 million in penalties in 2023.

The penalties levied against Zenith Bank included fines for late rendition of CBN returns, unauthorized employment practices, outstanding auditor recommendations, and compliance checks on politically exposed persons.

Similarly, FBN Holdings reported a decrease in fines paid during the period, totaling N17.26 million compared to N26 million in the previous year.

The fines imposed on FBN Holdings were related to late submission of audited financial statements and non-compliance with regulatory reporting requirements.

Access Holdings also experienced a significant reduction in penalties, with fines decreasing from approximately N604 million in 2022 to N81.60 million in 2023.

Despite the decrease, Access Holdings incurred fines from various regulatory bodies, including the CBN, PenCom, and NGX RegCo, for infractions such as unauthorized advertising, data recapture sanctions, and late filing of financial statements.

Other financial institutions, such as GTCO, UBA Group, Fidelity Bank, Wema Bank, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, and FCMB Group, also reported fines for various regulatory violations, including breaches of transaction rules, late submission of reports, and non-compliance with industry regulations.

The significant decrease in fines paid by financial institutions in 2023 reflects the industry’s commitment to improving regulatory compliance and upholding best practices.

Finance

Presidential Committee to Exempt 95% of Informal Sector from Taxes

Published

7 days ago

May 14, 2024

Samed Olukoya

The Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee (PFPTRC) has unveiled plans to exempt a significant portion of the informal sector from taxation.

Chaired by Taiwo Oyedele, the committee aims to alleviate the burden of multiple taxation on small businesses and low-income individuals while fostering economic growth.

The announcement came following the close-out retreat of the PFPTRC in Abuja, where Oyedele addressed reporters over the weekend.

He said the committee is committed to easing the tax burden, particularly for those operating within the informal sector that constitutes a substantial portion of Nigeria’s economy.

Under the proposed reforms, approximately 95% of the informal sector would be granted tax exemptions, sparing them from obligations such as income tax and value-added tax (VAT).

Oyedele stressed the importance of supporting individuals in the informal sector and recognizing their efforts to earn a legitimate living and their contribution to economic development.

The decision was informed by extensive deliberations and data analysis with the committee advocating for a fairer and more equitable tax system.

Oyedele highlighted that individuals earning up to N25 million annually would be exempted from various taxes, aligning with the committee’s commitment to relieving financial pressure on small businesses and low-income earners.

Moreover, the committee emphasized the need for tax reforms to address the prevailing issue of multiple taxation, which disproportionately affects small businesses and the vulnerable population.

By exempting the majority of the informal sector from taxation, the committee aims to stimulate economic growth and promote entrepreneurship.

The proposal for tax reforms is expected to be submitted to the National Assembly by the third quarter of this year, following consultations with the private sector and internal approvals.

The reforms encompass a broad range of measures, including executive orders, regulations, and constitutional amendments, aimed at creating a more conducive environment for business and investment.

In addition to tax exemptions, the committee plans to introduce executive orders and regulations to streamline tax processes and enhance compliance. This includes a new withholding tax regulation exempting small businesses from certain tax obligations, pending ministerial approval.