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Economy

Naira Falls Against Dollar Despite Renewed CBN Actions

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The Nigerian naira experienced a mixed performance on October 25, 2024, with a slight depreciation in the parallel market and a notable gain in the official market. The currency weakened by 0.12% against the US dollar, trading at N1,730/$1 in the parallel market—a marginal decline of N2 from the previous rate of N1,728.

This marks the second consecutive day of depreciation following a 0.58% appreciation on October 23, when the naira was valued at N1,725/$1. Meanwhile, in the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window, the naira reversed a threeday depreciation streak, closing at N1,601.20/$1, a 3.30% improvement from the prior close of N1,654.09.

Since October 15, the naira has consistently traded above the N1,600 threshold in the official market. The gap between the parallel market rate and the official rate has widened significantly, increasing to N128.80, up from the previous day’s difference of N73.91. Additionally, data from the Nigeria Association of Financial Markets Institutions (NAFEM) revealed a 69% surge in foreign exchange transactions, totalling $230.99 million, compared to $136.68 million previously.

CBN Reserves and Policy Measures

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The Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) external reserves saw a 0.188% rise to $39.230 billion on October 22, 2024, marking the ninth consecutive day of growth. Recent CBN policies, including interest rate hikes aimed at curbing inflation and stabilising the economy, appear to be stabilising the domestic currency. The CBN has also cleared backlogs of foreign exchange obligations, including payments to airlines.

Market Trends

Throughout 2024, the naira has faced sustained depreciation, losing over 50% of its value since the beginning of the year in the official market. In January, the currency traded at N838.95/$1 and breached the N1,500/$1 mark in February. A brief rally in March saw it recover to N1,300.43/$1, before reaching a record low of N1,660.5/$1 in October.

In the parallel market, the naira started the year at N1,215 per dollar, reaching an alltime low of N1,880 in February before recovering to N1,110 in April. However, it has since resumed a downward trajectory, recently dipping into the N1,700 range.

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Key Data Points

On October 24, 2024, the naira traded as high as N1,696 per dollar and as low as N1,585.43/$1, reflecting a disparity of N110.57 before settling at N1,601.20 in the I&E window.

By October 25, the naira traded at N1,730 per dollar in the parallel market, indicating a slight 0.12% decline from the previous day’s rate of N1,728.

In the I&E window, the currency closed at N1,601.20/$1, demonstrating a 3.30% improvement from the prior close of N1,654.09.

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Trading volumes in the I&E window surged, reaching $230.99 million compared to $136.68 million the day before, highlighting increased market activity and dollar demand.

Key Factors at Play

During a recent press briefing at the ongoing World Bank/IMF meetings, the newly launched Global Financial Stability Report underscored signs of stability in the Nigerian naira, largely attributed to recent CBN policies. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) noted that the naira’s steadiness results from actions taken by the CBN, including clearing the foreign exchange backlog and raising interest rates.

The report indicated that these policy measures have led to positive developments, contributing to the naira’s improved stability.

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What to Expect

With the naira recently breaching the N1,700/$1 mark, there is potential for a shortterm recovery. Global oil prices have stabilised between $79 and $81 per barrel, and the CBN’s consistent interventions may alleviate some inflationary pressures, fostering a more positive outlook for the naira. Additionally, new policies aimed at reducing foreign exchange demand could further support the currency, potentially bringing it back into the N1,600/$1 range in the near term.

Notably, the official exchange rate closed at N1,601.20 on October 25, following the CBN’s $60 million intervention in the official market on October 17, when dollars were sold to deposit banks at N1,540.

Nevertheless, the naira’s trajectory will remain closely tied to broader macroeconomic factors, including inflationary pressures and foreign currency supply. As Nigeria navigates these challenges, the effectiveness of policy responses will be crucial in determining whether the naira stabilises or faces further depreciation.

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Economy

Petrol to sell at N935 per litre from today-IPMAN

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The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), says the price of petrol will drop to N935 per litre by Monday in view of Dangote Refinery’s new arrangement.

IPMAN said the new price was necessitated by the reduction in Dangote Refinery’s fuel ex-depot price and uniform arrangement, which would enable marketers to sell at N935 in their outlets nationwide.

Alhaji Maigandi Garima, IPMAN National President, who made this known on Sunday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, lauded the Dangote refinery for the development.

NAN reports that Dangote refinery recently announced a significant reduction in fuel price by 7.27 per cent from N970 per litre to N899.50 per litre at its loading gantry and provided generous credit terms to marketers.

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In the bid to ensure that the price reduction gets to the end consumers, it signed a partnership with MRS to sell petrol from its retail outlets nationwide at N935.

The price reduction which is designed by Dangote refinery to alleviate transport cost during the festive period and beyond, has already commenced in Lagos, and will be offered nationwide from Monday.

“Dangote refinery has brought another new arrangement of loading and pricing by which marketers would pay a fixed ex-depot price of N899. 50k.

“The refinery is running a programme whereby it wants the fuel consumption across the country to be at the same rate. We are expecting the new arrangement to kick-start on Monday.

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“We have been loading from the Dangote refinery and the refinery is saving us in this festive period,’’ he said.

The IPMAN president said previously it was loading at N970 per litre at Dangote refinery, but based on the arrangement and promise from Dangote, by Monday fuel price will drop to N935.

Garima said the downstream sector competition being witnessed currently was expected by marketers since due to deregulation, adding that it would see the price of fuel dropping continuously.

“That is the reason why we have been asking the government to allow private sectors to participate in the refinery business.

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“Very soon more refineries are coming up and the country will see a lot of price reduction in the downstream sector,’’ he said.

He recalled that during the 2023 yuletide, per litre of fuel was sold at N2, 000 in the Northern and Eastern part of the country because fuel was being imported at that period.

He added that the highest price of which fuel could be sold there currently is N1, 100 because refineries are running in the country.

“By the time Warri and Kaduna resume production, one can buy products at cheaper rates and it is good for the economy,’’ he added.

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He however commended the Naira for the crude swap deal, adding that it is a good development for the growth of the economy.

The NNPC Ltd. had also slashed fuel ex-depot price from N1, 020 to N899.

The fuel price reduction reflects response to deregulation and increased industry competition.

(NAN)

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Economy

SEC orders public companies to publish financial statements online by Jan 2025

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The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a new directive requiring all publicly listed companies in Nigeria to publish their financial statements on their official websites, effective January 2025.

This was disclosed in a circular issued by the Commission on Thursday, stressing the importance of the move for investor confidence and regulatory compliance.

The SEC warned that non-compliance with this directive would attract strict sanctions, demonstrating its commitment to improving transparency and accessibility in the Nigerian equities market.

According to the SEC, “The Securities and Exchange Commission (‘the Commission’) has observed that public companies file their periodic returns with the Commission and relevant securities exchanges without simultaneously publishing the same on their websites. This omission contravenes Rules 39 and 41 of the Commission’s Rules and Regulations.”

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The Commission noted that while publicly listed companies routinely file periodic returns with it and relevant securities exchanges, many fail to make these financial statements accessible to the investing public on their websites. This practice, it noted, violates the requirement to ensure that financial disclosures are readily available to guide investors in making informed decisions.

SEC explained the rationale for the directive, stating that publishing financial statements online provides seamless access for the investing public. This ease of access, the Commission said, is essential for encouraging sound investment decisions and ensuring investor confidence in the market.

“Timely disclosures remain a key component of shareholder engagement,” the Commission stated. “The publication of periodic returns on their websites is aimed at providing seamless access by the public to such information, which would serve as a guide to making sound investment decisions.”

The Commission further noted that effective from January 2025, any public company that fails to simultaneously file its periodic returns with the SEC and relevant securities exchanges and publish them on its website will face penalties.

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Economy

Dangote Refinery, NNPCL resume fight over $1bn loan

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Dangote Group, owners of Dangote Refinery, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, have clashed over a $1 billion crude oil-backed loan.

Recall that barely 24 hours ago, in a statement credited to NNPCL spokesperson Olufemi Soneye, the state-owned oil firm said it secured a $1 billion loan backed by crude to support the Dangote Refinery during liquidity challenges.

However, Dangote Group spokesperson, Anthony Chijiena, has described NNPCL’s claim as ‘misinformation’.

The company clarified that the $1 billion crude backed loan is about five percent of the total investment that went into building the 650,000 barrels per day refinery.

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According to him, it is inaccurate to say NNPCL facilitated $1 billion for Dangote Refinery amid liquidity challenges.

Chijiena explained that NNPCL had proposed a 20 percent stake investment valued at $2.76 billion in the Dangote Refinery, but that didn’t materialise.

He noted that NNPCL was able to invest $1 billion, which amounts to 7.24 percent equity value.

“Our decision to enter into a partnership with NNPCL was based on recognition of their strategic position in the industry as the largest offtaker of Nigerian crude and, at the time, the sole supplier of gasoline into Nigeria.

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“We agreed on the sale of a 20 percent stake at a value of $2.76 billion. Of this, we agreed that they will only pay $1 billion while the balance will be recovered over a period of 5 years through deductions on crude oil that they supply to us and from dividends due to them.

“If we were struggling with liquidity challenges, we wouldn’t have given them such generous payment terms.

“As of 2021, when the agreement was signed, the refinery was at the pre-commission stage. In addition, if we were struggling with liquidity issues, this agreement would have been cash-based rather than credit-driven.

“Unfortunately, NNPCL was later unable to supply the agreed 300 thousand barrels a day of crude, given that they had committed a greater part of their crude cargoes to financiers with the expectation of higher production, which they were unable to achieve.

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“We subsequently gave them a 12-month period for them to pay cash for the balance of their equity given their
inability to supply the agreed crude oil volume.

“NNPCL failed to meet this deadline, which expired on June 30th, 2024. As a result, their equity share was revised down to 7.24 percent. These events have been widely reported by both parties.

“It is, therefore, inaccurate to claim that NNPCL facilitated a $1 billion investment amid liquidity challenges.

“Like all business partners, NNPCL invested $1 billion in the refinery to acquire an ownership stake of 7.24 percent. That is beneficial to its interests,” the Dangote Group statement said.

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