Opinion

Nigeria in the New Decade: Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

Posted by Finintell on Sunday, 2 February 2020

The Nigerian economy suffered mixed fortunes in the past decade. In the first half of the decade, an average growth of 6.1% drove unemployment to a low of 5.1%. This was on the back of peak oil prices and stable oil production, which supported oil revenues and a strong exchange rate. In turn, inflation was relatively low, averaging 10.7%, due to a strong currency. However, fiscal and structural reforms were on the backburner while fiscal buffers meant to smoothen budget spending during harsh times were emptied.

Power Sector Tariff Review: Laudable but Success Rests on Effective Implementation

Posted by Finintell on Sunday, 12 January 2020

Following the updated Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) as at year-end 2019, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) approved an upward review (starting January 1, 2020) of electricity tariffs paid by consumers across the country. The adjustment was in line with the bi-annual review provided in the MYTO 2015 (as amended). The new update covers an estimated tariff shortfall of ₦534.4bn for 2020, which the government would cover. Hence, implementing the recommended tariff change would ease the burden of electricity subsidies on government’s finances.

2020 Macroeconomic Review & Outlook: At the Cliff's Edge

Posted by Finintell on Friday, 13 December 2019

The global economy faces more turmoil in 2020, but we remain largely optimistic in our outlook, given the continued attempts to find a lasting resolution to the Sino-US trade war. More so, supportive fiscal and monetary policies across major economies, together with structural realignments, should steer the global economy away from a recession, and thus bolster investors' appetite for risk assets.

Moody’s Negative Outlook… A Reflection of Current Realities

Posted by Finintell on Monday, 9 December 2019

Nigeria suffered an outlook downgrade from stable to negative by Moody’s. Increasing fragility in public finances and sluggish growth prospects, which pose great risks to government's fiscal strength and external position were the main concerns. However, the rating agency affirmed the B2 long-term local and foreign currency issuer ratings, the B2 foreign currency senior unsecured ratings, and the (P) B2 foreign currency senior unsecured MTN programme rating.

Q3:2019 GDP Report: Sustained Expansion in the ICT Sector Lifts Economic Growth to 2.3%

Posted by Finintell on Monday, 25 November 2019

The Q3:2019 GDP report published by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed soft recovery in economic growth at 2.3% Y-o-Y (vs 2.1% Q2:2019 as revised); the highest since Q4:2018, driven by a slow but increasing growth in the non-oil sector. Growth in the oil sector slowed at 6.5% Y-o-Y in Q3:2019 (vs 7.2% Q2:2019). We attribute this to a weak base given a 5.2% Y-o-Y increase in oil production to 2.04mbpd, also higher by 1.0% on a Q-o-Q basis.

Police ₦16.8b recruitment plan: the battle for official largesse

Posted by Finintell on Thursday, 14 November 2019

The current brouhaha rocking the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and its Service Commission in the recruitment of 10,000 constables has somewhat shown what the real battle is all about. This is a total contrast to the cheers from the College of Policing in the United Kingdom that greeted the recent plans by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to recruit 20,000 new police officers.

Renewable baseload strategy can fix Nigeria’s power sector –Wale Yusuff

Posted by Finintell on Sunday, 10 November 2019

The Managing Director of Wartsila Nigeria, Wale Yusuff, says it is time to question the suitability of a traditional approach to power generation that has clearly shown its limits and is no longer fitted to unleash Nigeria’s clean energy potential.

In a press statement, Mr Yusuff noted that flexible power systems will be instrumental in significantly lowering electricity costs, improving system reliability, as well as boosting the share of renewable energy in the Nigerian power mix.

Optimising Access to Grants and Funding Opportunities for Women Led Social Enterprises in Africa

Posted by Finintell on Friday, 25 October 2019

The Situation
According to a recent World Bank report, Africa is the only continent where more women than men choose to become entrepreneurs.

However, despite the encouraging finding, women still access less financing compared to their male counterparts.

September 2019 CPI Report: Prolonged Border Closure Bites Hard as Inflation Increased to 11.2%

Posted by Finintell on Sunday, 20 October 2019

The September 2019 Consumer Price Index (CPI) report published this week revealed a broad-based increase in consumer prices, partly caused by the recent partial closure in land borders between Nigeria and neighboring countries. This fed into headline inflation which rose sharply to 11.2% Y-o-Y in September (August: 11.0%), bucking the trend of disinflation between June and August 2019. Although the quick uptrend in headline inflation can be attributed to the 6bps M-o-M increase to 1.04% (August: 0.99%), the first increase in five months, we believe a weak base played a major part. 

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