Connect with us

Economy

FOREX Reserves Dip By $505.68 Million In August, Biggest Drop In Four Months

Published

on

By Mario Deepromoter

Nigeria’s foreign exchange (FX) reserves have dipped by about $505.68 million (1.37%) in August 2024.

This is according to the latest data on the reserves from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The marginal decline in the country’s external reserves coincided with the Nigerian government’s issuance of a $500 million domestic dollar bond, which is expected to provide much-needed support to the external reserves.

Advertisement

The CBN reported a reduction of $505.68 million, bringing the reserves down from $36.827 billion on August 1 to $36.321 billion by August 29, 2024.

Data from the CBN indicate a consistent decline throughout August, with a notable dip in the final week.

The reserves, which stood at $36.827 billion at the beginning of the month, gradually decreased as the weeks progressed.

By August 8th, the reserves had decreased to $36.848 billion, and by mid-month, they had further dropped to $36.529 billion on August 15th.

Advertisement

The decline continued steadily, reaching $36.444 billion by August 22nd and then $36.321 billion by the month’s end.

First time in four months

The dip represents the steepest monthly decline in Nigeria’s forex reserves since April 2024.

This persistent decline comes after a four-month period of about $4 billion growth in the external reserves. It also means that the reserves have lost about 12.64% of its four-month gain in August 2024.

Advertisement

It further highlights the struggle faced by Nigeria’s financial authorities in maintaining reserve levels amidst ongoing economic pressures, including the need to meet import demands and debt obligations, as well as manage liquidity for the naira’s stability.

What you should know

In the first week of August, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sold $876.26 million at N1,495/$1 to 26 qualified banks in its latest Retail Dutch Auction.

According to a statement from the CBN, a total bid of $1.18 billion was received from 32 dealer banks. However, bids from six banks were disqualified, as four banks did not meet up with the deadline while two did not provide bids in their submitted templates.

Advertisement

Amid the decline in FX reserves, the Nigerian official foreign exchange (FX) market experienced a marked decline in turnover in August, despite the initial Retail Dutch Auction conducted by the CBN.

Data obtained from the FMDQ by Nairalytics, the research arm of Nairametrics, reveals a reduction of $1.08 billion, with total turnover falling to $3.25 billion, from $4.34 billion recorded in July 2024.

This decline of 25% highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the official FX market in terms of liquidity and stability.

The average daily FX turnover decreased from $189.42 million in July to $144.71 million in August, reflecting a 23.61% reduction. This decline suggests a significant drop in market activity, indicating increasing difficulties in accessing foreign currency.

Advertisement

On August 19, 2024, the federal government of Nigeria officially issued a $500 million domestic dollar bond.

This bond, part of the government’s financing initiatives, has a 9.75% per annum interest rate and is set to mature in 2029.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, stated that the $500m domestic dollar bond will enhance external reserves and help stabilize the foreign exchange situation in the country.

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Economy

Naira Gains Slightly Against Dollar On May 8, 2025

Published

on

By

On Thursday, May 8, 2025, the naira is exchanging for ₦1,627 to 1 US dollar at the parallel market (black market) in Nigeria.

This reflects the current rate at which individuals are trading dollars for naira outside of official financial institutions.

This means that for every one dollar, you can get the equivalent in naira of ₦1,627 on May 8, 2025, showing a very slight improvement compared to the previous day, indicating a momentary easing of pressure on the naira against the dollar.

Thursday, May 8, 2025, records a marginal upward movement in the exchange rate, suggesting a bit of stability in the local currency for those transacting in foreign exchange.

Advertisement

The black market rate represents the value at which individuals can trade their dollars for naira outside official exchange channels, where the currency’s value is largely driven by supply and demand dynamics rather than government regulation.

Note that the Black Market Exchange rate is typically higher than the official exchange rate because it is not regulated by the government and reflects a more immediate, fluctuating market response.

Today’s exchange rate has slightly improved compared to yesterday, Wednesday, May 7, when the naira exchanged at ₦1,628 per dollar. (This means the naira gained a bit of value in the past 24 hours, possibly due to a brief easing in dollar demand or better forex inflow.)

The value of a country’s currency is determined by aggregate supply and demand, influenced by factors such as national interest rates, inflation, capital flow, and the overall money supply.

Advertisement

These forces, both internal and external, affect the strength of a nation’s currency and contribute to exchange rate fluctuations. The most common method to assess a currency’s value is through exchange rates. The two main exchange rate systems are the fixed rate and the floating rate systems, with the parallel market rate offering a real-time reflection of currency trends.

Investors and market participants closely monitor parallel market rates for a more immediate and practical reflection of currency trends, often making it a reliable indicator of short-term shifts in economic conditions.

Continue Reading

Economy

SEE Black Market Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate Today – 7th May 2025

Published

on

By

The dollar to naira rate keeps making headlines, and if you’re here, chances are you’re looking for today’s black market exchange rate – Wednesday, 7th May 2025. Whether you need to exchange dollars for business, personal use, or just want to stay updated, this post gives you the most accurate and up-to-date info on the dollar to naira rate in the parallel (Aboki) market.

We understand how quickly things can change in Nigeria’s forex market, so we’re committed to bringing you real-time figures and what’s influencing them.

What is the dollar-to-naira exchange rate on the black market, like the Aboki Fx?
The exchange rate for the US dollar (USD) to Nigerian Naira (NGN) in the parallel market, also known as black market, as of 7th May 2025, is N1,610 for 1 USD.

This rate is often sourced from the latest data provided by Bureau De Change (BDC) operators.

Advertisement

How much is a Dollar to Naira today in the Black Market?
What is the Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate at the Black Market, especially the Aboki Fx?
Because of the dynamics of supply and demand in the informal foreign exchange market, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) official rates often differ significantly from those in the black market.

As of today, 7th May 2025, the black market buying rate for the US dollar is N1,600 while the selling rate is N1,610.

These rates change from time to time during the day, influenced by various factors including economic conditions, market speculation, and government policies.

The dollar-to-naira exchange rate in the black market has continued to fluctuate, reflecting the economic challenges and forex shortages in Nigeria.

Advertisement

In contrast to the black market, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) maintains an official exchange rate. Today, the CBN rate for one dollar is N1,606.64.

The disparity between the official and black market rates highlights the pressure on the naira and the challenges in the country’s forex market.

Black Market Exchange Rate Today

Foreign Currency Buying rate Selling rate
DOLLAR ($USD) N1,600 N1,610
POUNDS STERLING (GBP) N2,120 N2,140
EURO (EUR) N1,780 1,800

Advertisement

CBN Exchange Rate Today
Foreign Currency Buying rate Selling rate
DOLLAR ($USD) N1,605.64 N1,606.64
POUNDS STERLING (GBP) N2,150.27 N2,151.61
EURO (EUR)
N1,823.68

N1,824.82

YUAN (CNY)
N222.49

N222.63
SAUDI RIYAL (SAR)
N428.07

Advertisement

N428.34

CRYPTOCURRENCY
At the time of posting

BITCOIN

1 BTC: NGN153M

Advertisement

1 NGN = 0.000000078BTC

ETHEREUM

1 ETH: NGN 2.9M

1 NGN: 0.00000034ETH

Advertisement

Variations in Forex Rates
Forex rates in Nigeria vary across different markets and platforms. The black market, official CBN rates, and rates offered by commercial banks and international money transfer operators all differ.

This discrepancy creates arbitrage opportunities and poses challenges for businesses and individuals needing foreign currency for legitimate transactions.

50 Dollars to Naira Today Black Market
For people looking to exchange 50 US dollars today, the rate in the black market will be approximately N80,000 if obtained at the buying rate of N1,600 per dollar.

For those buying from retailers, it would cost N80,500 at the selling rate of N1,610 per dollar.

Advertisement

100 Dollars to Naira Today Black Market
Exchanging 100 US dollars today in the black market will get you N160,000 if sold at the current buying rate.

For those purchasing dollars, it will cost them N161,000. This rate of increase no doubt affects businesses, travelers, and others who need dollars and other foreign currencies for overseas transactions.

500 Dollars to Naira Today Black Market
A larger transaction of 500 US dollars will result in N800,000 at the buying rate and N805,000 at the selling rate in the black market today.

The higher volumes reflect the ongoing need for dollars in the business community.

Advertisement

1,000 Dollars to Naira Today Black Market
For those who need up to 1000 US dollars, the black market will offer N1,600,000 at the buying rate and N1,610,000 at the selling rate.

Continue Reading

Economy

75.5% of rural Nigerians now live below poverty line — World Bank

Published

on

By

The World Bank has disclosed that a staggering 75.5 per cent of rural Nigerians are now living below the poverty line, reflecting deepening hardship in the country’s hinterlands.

This was revealed in the Bank’s April 2025 Poverty and Equity Brief for Nigeria, which paints a grim picture of worsening economic hardship, widening inequality, and persistent underdevelopment across much of the nation.

While poverty is widespread among urban populations, the report emphasised that the situation is significantly worse in rural areas, where economic stagnation, high inflation, and insecurity have exacerbated living conditions.

“Based on the most recent official household survey data from Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics, 30.9 per cent of Nigerians lived below the international extreme poverty line of $2.15 per person per day in 2018/19 before the COVID-19 pandemic,” the report stated.

Advertisement

The report also highlighted Nigeria’s enduring regional disparities. “Nigeria remains spatially unequal. The poverty rate in northern geopolitical zones was 46.5 per cent in 2018/19, compared with 13.5 per cent for southern ones. Inequality measured by the Gini index was estimated at 35.1 in 2018/19.

“Nigeria’s Prosperity Gap — the average factor by which individuals’ incomes must be multiplied to attain a prosperity standard of $25 per day for all — is estimated at 10.2, higher than most peers.”

Despite successive policy interventions, these figures underscore a persistent economic divide across the country.

The report’s demographic analysis found that children aged 0 to 14 years had a poverty rate of 72.5 per cent, reflecting the scale of deprivation among the youngest segment of the population.

Advertisement

Gender disparities were also observed, with 63.9 per cent of females and 63.1 per cent of males classified as poor under the $3.65 per day lower-middle-income threshold.

Education emerged as a significant determinant of poverty, with Nigerians lacking formal education experiencing a poverty rate of 79.5 per cent. This contrasts with 61.9 per cent for those with primary education and 50.0 per cent for secondary school graduates. Only 25.4 per cent of those with tertiary education were considered poor.

The report also drew attention to multidimensional poverty indicators, which further reflect widespread deprivation.

According to the World Bank, about 30.9 per cent of Nigerians live on less than $2.15 daily, 32.6 per cent lack access to limited-standard drinking water, 45.1 per cent do not have limited-standard sanitation, and 39.4 per cent have no electricity.

Advertisement

Education access remains a challenge, with 17.6 per cent of adults yet to complete primary education, and 9.0 per cent of households reporting at least one school-aged child not enrolled in school.

The report noted that even before the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts to reduce extreme poverty had largely stalled.

“Before COVID-19, extreme poverty reduction had almost stagnated, dropping by only half a percentage point annually since 2010. Living standards of the urban poor are hardly improving, and jobs that would allow households to escape poverty are lacking,” the report read.

Although the World Bank acknowledged recent economic reforms aimed at stabilising Nigeria’s macroeconomic outlook, it warned that persistently high inflation continues to undermine household purchasing power, particularly in urban areas where incomes have not kept pace with rising costs.

Advertisement

In light of the worsening situation, the Bank called for urgent policy action to shield vulnerable groups from inflationary shocks and to drive job creation through more productive economic activities.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Naija Blitz News