Economy

Dangote to scrap steel investment plan in Nigeria over allegations of monopoly

Published

2 months ago

July 22, 2024

Admin

The President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has announced that the company will abandon its plans to enter Nigeria’s steel industry to avoid being branded a monopoly.

Dangote made this disclosure in a statement on Saturday while addressing journalists at his refinery in Lagos.

The business tycoon explained that the company’s board decided to avoid the steel industry to prevent accusations of attempting to monopolize it.

Furthermore, he noted that pursuing this venture would involve encouraging the importation of raw materials from overseas, which contradicts the firm’s core mandate.

“You know, about doing a new business which we announced, that is, the steel.

“Actually, our own board has decided that we shouldn’t do the steel because if we do the steel business, we will be called all sorts of names like monopoly. And then also, imports will be encouraged. So we don’t want to go into that,” he said.

Dangote, however, urged other Nigerians to invest in the industry to help boost the country’s economy.

“Let other Nigerians go and do it. We are not the only Nigerians here. There are some Nigerians with more cash than us. They should bring that money from Dubai and other parts of the world and invest in our own fatherland,” the CEO added.

In June, Nairametrics reported that Aliko Dangote said his company plans to delve into steel production in the near future stating that he wants to ensure that every steel used in West Africa comes from Nigeria.

He noted that the next venture after the refinery project would be in steel manufacturing and ensure that all steel products used in West Africa come from Nigeria.

“I don’t like people coming to take our solid minerals to process and bring the finished product. We should try and industrialise our continent and take it to the next level.

“I told somebody we are not going to take any break. What we are trying to do is to make sure at least in West Africa, we want to make sure that every single steel that we use will come from Nigeria”, Dangote said at that time.

Nigeria has tried unsuccessfully to become a leader in the steel manufacturing industry with a handful of failed projects like the Ajaokuta steel plant, Delta Steel Company, Osogbo and Jos rolling mills even under government and private ownership.

Like the oil refineries, the federal government under different administrations has spent billions trying to put the local steel plants to work but has been unsuccessful.

The administration of President Bola Tinubu had promised during the campaigns to ensure steel production starts in the multi-billion-dollar Ajaokuta steel complex.

Dangote investment in the industry might have been a game changer, attracting more capital and economic opportunity to the sector.

However, with the recent revelation and decision from the African richest man, the steel industry may still linger in the shadow of under investment for years to come.

Economy

CBN sells $20,000 to BDCs at 1,580

Published

19 hours ago

September 7, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Central Bank of Nigeria has announced the sale of dollars to Bureau De Change operators.

This was disclosed by the apex bank in a statement signed by the Acting Director of Trade and Exchange Department, Dr W. J Kanya, on Friday.

The latest intervention of the central bank comes days after the Nigerian naira has been taking a beating at both the official and parallel market where it has depreciated to about 1,670/$ on Friday.

The circular partly read, “This is to inform the Bureau De Change Operators and the general public that we are providing more liquidity into the market.

“To this end, the CBN has approved the sale of US$20,000.00 to each eligible BDC at the rate of N1,580/$. This is to meet the demand for invisible transactions.”

The bank said the BDCs are allowed to sell to eligible end-users at a margin not more than one per cent above the purchase rate from CBN.

Eligible BDCs interested in this transaction were advised to make the Naira payment to the CBN.

Economy

SEE Black Market Dollar (USD) To Naira (NGN) Exchange Rate Today 6th September 2024

Published

2 days ago

September 6, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Mario Deepromoter

The exchange rate for a dollar to naira at Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market) players buy a dollar for N1635 and sell at N1645 on Friday 6th September 2024, according to sources at Bureau De Change (BDC).

Black market dollar to Naira exchange rate on Friday 6th September 2024 can be accessed below.

The official naira black market exchange rate in Nigeria today including the Black Market rates, Bureau De Change (BDC), and CBN rates. Please note that the exchange rate is subject to hourly fluctuations influenced by the supply and demand of dollars in the market. As of now, you can purchase 1 dollar at a certain rate now, however, it’s important to keep in mind that the rate can shift (either upwards or downwards) within hours.

How much is a dollar to naira today in the black market?
Dollar to naira exchange rate today black market (Aboki dollar rate):

Please note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not recognize the parallel market (black market), as it has directed individuals who want to engage in Forex to approach their respective banks.

Dollar to Naira Black Market Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) Black Market Exchange Rate Today
Buying Rate N1645
Selling Rate N1635
Dollar to Naira CBN Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) CBN Rate Today
Buying Rate N1625
Selling Rate N1630
Please note that the rates you buy or sell forex may be different from what is captured in this article because prices vary.

Economy

NNPC Announces Date To Start Lifting Petrol From Dangote Refinery

Published

2 days ago

September 6, 2024

Admin

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has revealed that it will start lifting petrol from the Dangote Refinery from September 15th.

This is coming a few hours after the Refinery debunked reports claiming that the NNPCL had started the lifting of its petrol and selling for N897 per litre.

Speaking on TVC News’ “Journalists’ Hangout” show on Thursday, the Executive Vice President of Downstream, NNPC Ltd., Mr. Adedapo Segun explained that the corporation is awaiting the September 15 deadline provided by the Refinery to start lifting petrol.

Segun also said that foreign exchange (forex) illiquidity has been a significant factor influencing the fluctuation in prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which are governed by unrestricted free market forces, as provided for in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021.

He revealed that the current fuel scarcity was expected to “subside in a few days as more stations recalibrate and begin selling PMS.”

He said Section 205 of the PIA, which established NNPC Ltd., stipulated that petroleum prices were determined by unrestricted free market forces.

According to him, “The market has been deregulated, meaning that petrol prices are now determined by market forces rather than by the government or NNPC Ltd. Additionally, the exchange rate plays a significant role in influencing these prices.”

Segun, who said no right-thinking individual would be comfortable with the current fuel scarcity, added that the NNPC Ltd. has nearly a thousand filling stations nationwide and was collaborating with marketers to “ensure that stations open early, close late, in order to maintain adequate fuel supply to meet the needs of Nigerians.”

He assured Nigerians: “We are also engaging relevant authorities to ensure products diversions are prevented and timely deliveries to all stations are ensured. The scarcity should ease in the next few days as more stations recalibrate and begin operations.”