NEWS
FG Receives $2.25bn From Afreximbank’s $3.3bn Loan
The federal government on friday, obtained $2.25 billion from the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank) as part of a $3.3 billion foreign exchange (FX) facility.
The awaited financial support aims to alleviate the severe shortage of foreign exchange in the country, a situation that has hindered economic activities and dampened investor confidence.
President Bola Tinubu had previously reassured Nigerians in December of his administration’s dedication to addressing FX backlogs by injecting funds into the market.
During the 2023 Bank Directors’ Summit in Abuja, Tinubu emphasized the significance of funding liquidity in the FX market, acknowledging it as a crucial but short-term measure essential for the current state of the economy.
However, there were apprehensions among investors and stakeholders regarding the government’s seeming deviation from its initial pledge to inject between $7 billion to $10 billion into the FX market.
This deviation raised concerns as the existing backlogs continued to affect investor confidence in the economy.
Tinubu, represented by Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, reaffirmed at the summit that there was no shift from the earlier indications given, emphasizing that the process simply required time.
He highlighted the government’s efforts to attract funds aimed at bolstering liquidity in the FX segment.
Yesterday reception of the first part of the funding intervention provided substantial relief to both the federal government and investors, marking a positive development.
The first portion of the funds, as reported, was deposited into the federal government’s account, with the remaining $1.05 billion scheduled for payment next week.
Addressing ARISE News, the minister highlighted that Afreximbank would announce the disbursement timing when appropriate.
He mentioned exploring various support mechanisms aimed at enhancing both government finances and FX liquidity, expressing optimism about Nigeria’s progress in the right direction.
Afreximbank leads the $3.3 billion loan arrangement, with additional participation from sub-lenders such as VITOL, Guvnor, Sahara Energy Group, Oando, and United Bank for Africa, contributing $100 million.
In a previous announcement in August, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) disclosed securing a $3 billion emergency loan from Afreximbank to stabilize the country’s volatile foreign exchange market.
This recent agreement follows NNPC’s earlier attainment of a $5 billion corporate finance commitment from Afreximbank, aimed at funding significant investments in Nigeria’s upstream sector, over a year ago.
While NNPC’s statement lacked details regarding the FX installment volumes and the quantity of crude oil for repayment, the agreement aimed to enhance foreign exchange liquidity and strengthen the naira against the dollar.
Analysts and business leaders lauded Afreximbank’s initiative to address the country’s FX liquidity challenges, acknowledging the potential of these funds to mitigate exchange rate fluctuations and alleviate increasing inflationary pressures.
A helicopter carrying President Ebrahim Raisi yencountered a “hard landing” on Sunday.
According to report, the incident took place near Jolfa, a city situated on the border with Azerbaijan, within Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, approximately 600 kilometers northwest of Tehran.
However, details regarding the incident were not disclosed.
The Associated Press noted uncertainty regarding whether bh Raisi was onboard the helicopter during the incident.
Despite rescue efforts, adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain and wind, have hindered access to the site, according to state TV.
Before the helicopter incident, President Ebrahim Raisi had been in Azerbaijan on Sunday to participate in the inauguration of a dam alongside Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.
This dam marks the third joint construction project between the two nations on the Aras River.
Despite Iran’s diverse helicopter fleet, obtaining parts is hindered by international sanctions, with much of its military air fleet dating back to pre-1979 Islamic Revolution era.
Raisi, aged 63, is known for his hard-line stance and previously served as the country’s judiciary leader.
Considered a protégé of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, some analysts speculate that Raisi could succeed the 85-year-old leader in the event of his resignation or demise.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s military prevented an attempted coup on Sunday near President Felix Tshisekedi’s offices in Kinshasa, as reported by an army spokesperson.The Democratic Republic of Congo’s military prevented an attempted coup on Sunday near President Felix Tshisekedi’s offices in Kinshasa, as reported by an army spokesperson.
According to him, the plot, involving both foreigners and Congolese citizens, unfolded in the early hours outside the residence of Economy Minister Vital Kamerhe in the Gombe district, close to the president’s offices at the Palais de la Nation.
General Sylvain Ekenge announced on national television that the defence and security forces had successfully thwarted the coup attempt.
He said “An attempted coup d’etat has been stopped by the defence and security forces. The foreigners and Congolese…including their leader” would “all no longer cause any harm”.
Shots were heard near the Palais de la Nation during the attempted coup, as confirmed by various sources.
General Ekenge didn’t elaborate further on the incident, and AFP’s attempts to get additional information from official sources remain unanswered.
However by late morning, the city appeared calm.
Early social media reports suggested an armed attack on Kamerhe’s residence, with some assailants heading towards the Palais de la Nation.
“This morning, there was an armed attack at the residence of the economy minister,” wrote Japan’s ambassador Hidetoshi Ogawa on X.
He stated that Kamerhe “was not harmed, but two policemen and an assailant were killed according to sources.”
France’s ambassador reported hearing automatic weapons fire in the area and advised French nationals to steer clear of the location.
Videos circulating on social media depicted individuals in military attire at the Palais de la Nation, waving flags of Zaire, the former name of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during the regime of dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, who was ousted in 1997.
Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has dismissed all transition committee chairmen in the state’s 21 local government areas.
This decision was detailed in a letter titled “Expiration of Tenure and Handover to Heads of Local Government Administrations (HLGAs),” dated May 17, 2024, and signed by Collins Nwabunwanne, the state Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs.
According to the letter, the directive will be effective starting Monday, May 20, 2024.
The letter read, “Following the expiration of your tenure as Transition Committee Chairman, you are hereby directed to handover the affairs of your Local Government Council to the Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA), in your respective Local Government Councils.
“This directive takes effect from Monday, 20th day of May, 2024. Thank you for your service to the state. All replies to be addressed to the Honourable Commissioner.”
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