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IMF Retains 2023 Economic Growth Forecast For Nigeria

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has maintained its forecast for Nigeria’s economic growth in 2023 at 3.2 percent.

 

On the other hand, the IMF has revised its forecast for Sub-Saharan economic growth in 2023, lowering it by 0.1 percentage point to 3.5 percent.

 

However, the Fund has increased its projection for global economic growth in 2023 by 0.2 percentage points, bringing it to 3.5 percent.

 

These forecasts were revealed in the IMF World Economic Outlook (WEO) Update for July, titled “Near-Term Resilience, Persistent Challenges.”

 

The IMF said: “Global growth is projected to fall from 3.5 percent in 2022 to 3.0 percent in both 2023 and 2024 on an annual average basis. Compared with projections in the April 2023 WEO, growth has been upgraded by 0.2 percentage point for 2023, with no change for 2024.

 

“The forecast for 2023–24 remains well below the historical (2000–19) annual average of 3.8 percent. It is also below the historical average across broad income groups, in overall GDP as well as per capita GDP terms.

 

“Advanced economies continue to drive the decline in growth from 2022 to 2023, with weaker manufacturing, as well as idiosyncratic factors, offsetting stronger services activity.

 

“In emerging market and developing economies, the growth outlook is broadly stable for 2023 and 2024, although with notable shifts across regions.

 

“On a year-over-year basis, global growth bottomed out in the fourth quarter of 2022. However, in some major economies, it is not expected to bottom out before the second half of 2023.

 

“In sub-Saharan Africa, growth is projected to decline to 3.5 percent in 2023 before picking up to 4.1 percent in 2024. Growth in Nigeria in 2023 and 2024 is projected to gradually decline, in line with April projections, reflecting security issues in the oil sector.

 

“In South Africa, growth is expected to decline to 0.3 percent in 2023, with the decline reflecting power shortages, although the forecast has been revised upward by 0.2 percentage point since the April 2023 WEO, on account of resilience in services activity in the first quarter.”

 

Advising governments on policy priorities, the IMF said: “In most economies, the priority remains achieving sustained disinflation while ensuring financial stability.

 

“Therefore, central banks should remain focused on restoring price stability and strengthening financial supervision and risk monitoring. Should market strains materialize, countries should provide liquidity promptly while mitigating the possibility of moral hazard.

 

“They should also build fiscal buffers, with the composition of fiscal adjustment ensuring targeted support for the most vulnerable. Improvements to the supply side of the economy would facilitate fiscal consolidation and a smoother decline of inflation toward target levels.”.

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Naira Slumps 4.60% Against Dollar

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Naira To Dollar Exchanges At N464.67

In a sharp turn of events, the Nigerian Naira took a significant tumble on Tuesday, plunging to N1,416.57 against the US dollar at the official market.

This staggering drop of N62.36 from the previous trading day represents a 4.60 percent loss, sparking concerns among investors and analysts alike.

Data from the FMDQ Exchange, overseeing the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM), revealed this unsettling trend.

Despite the currency’s downward spiral, trading activity surged, with the daily turnover soaring to $160.77 million, compared to Monday’s $84.83 million.

Meanwhile, at the Investor’s and Exporter’s (I&E) window, the Naira’s performance remained volatile, trading between N1,445 and N1,301 against the dollar, underscoring the currency’s precarious position in the market.

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Dangote Restates Commitment To Host Communities’ Capacity Building

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Dangote Tackle forex shortage with sugar

The management of Dangote Cement Plc., Ibese Plant has assured that it would continue to complement the efforts of the Ogun State Government in the development of its host communities through capacity building for the people, especially the youths.

In a statement, the company declared its commitment to development for the prosperity of the people and host communities for which it is placing a premium on the developmental needs of the communities and empowerment of their indigenes.

During a capacity development workshop for Host Community Representatives, General Manager, Human Asset Management/Admin, Aina Olugbenga, said, Dangote Cement remained committed to implementing value-adding empowerment programs to uplift the people and develop the host communities.

The workshop themed: “Team Building, Inclusivity and Stewardship, a panacea to effective Community Representatives” according to him, was to equip the Community reps with the right skills to offer quality representation for their people. He stated: this capacity building workshop is aimed at developing and strengthening the skills, instincts, and abilities of the communities through their representatives adapt and thrive in a fast-changing world.

Olugbenga noted that the workshop is part of the management’s strategy to improve relationships with the host communities and urged the participants to leverage the knowledge acquired from the workshop to improve service delivery to their people and the Cement plant.

According to him, Dangote Cement, Ibese Plant is committed to building the capacity of the people and institutions in the communities by identifying skill gaps and partnering to up their skills for economic prosperity. This, he stated, was in anticipation that other stakeholders will continue to play their part by partnering and supporting the Company to ensure peaceful co-existence and shared prosperity for all.

Said he, “Apart from reciprocating the good gesture of Dangote Cement by ensuring peace at all times and keeping an open and trusting mind towards the organization, we also desire from our community leaders and representatives who are present here, the ownership of all Social Investment programme, be it training or infrastructure because they are meant for the betterment of our people.”

On behalf of the Community Representatives, Hon. Dayo Ogunyinka thanked the Dangote Cement management for the workshop while assuring continued commitment to effective, efficient and selfless discharge of their roles and responsibilities to their various communities and the Plant.

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JUST IN: NDIC Boosts Deposit Insurance For Banks

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The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has announced revisions to the Maximum Deposit Insurance Coverage for banks operating within the country.

NDIC’s Managing Director, Bello Hassan, disclosed the updated coverage benchmarks during a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

The coverage for Deposit Money Banks has been increased from N500,000 to N5 million, for Microfinance Banks from N200,000 to N2 million, for Primary Mortgage Banks from N500,000 to N2 million, and for Mobile Money Operators subscribers’ pass-through from N500,000 to N5 million per subscriber.

Hassan underscored that the objective of the update is to enhance depositor safety, foster public trust, promote the inclusivity of financial services, and ensure the overall stability of the financial sector.

 

 

More to follow.. . .. . 

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