Business
Naira becomes worst performing currency in one month – Report
Naira becomes worst performing currency in one month – Report
As outlined in a recent Bloomberg report, the
The Nigerian currency, naira, has experienced a significant downturn, moving from being the best performing to the worst performing in the last one month.
This contrasts with its commendable performance in the previous month, placing added pressure on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to consider further interest rate adjustments.
The naira’s depreciation to 1,466.31 against the dollar, its weakest level since March 20, is primarily attributed to the scarcity of US currency in the local market, with only $84 million available on Thursday, representing half of the previous day’s supply.
CBN Governor Yemi Cardoso had previously lauded the Naira as the world’s best-performing currency as of April 2024. However, challenges arose in March, with the Naira plummeting to N1,600/$1 on the official market and N1,800/$1 on the parallel market.
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Cardoso attributed this achievement to foreign exchange market reforms and positive sentiment from leading international investment institutions. Nonetheless, Razia Khan, Chief Economist for Africa and the Middle East at Standard Chartered, estimates that the maturity of $1.3 billion in Naira futures by the end of this month may increase demand for dollars, impacting market sentiment.
This decline in the naira’s performance is anticipated to escalate pressure on the CBN to implement another rate hike following its upcoming policy meeting on May 21.
The CBN had raised rates by 600 basis points in February and March, aiding the Naira’s rebound from its March low.
The weakening of the naira extends to the unofficial market, where it depreciated by 0.9% to 1,468 Naira against the dollar on Friday. According to Abubakar Muhammed, CEO of Forward Marketing Bureau de Change Ltd, this decline is attributed to heightened demand from individuals and small businesses.
Interestingly, two other African currencies, the Zambian kwacha and Ghana’s cedi, rank among the four worst-performing currencies in the last month. The Zambian kwacha reached a record low against the dollar on Friday, while Ghana’s cedi weakened to its lowest level since 2022, reflecting ongoing debt restructuring processes in both countries.
Naira becomes worst performing currency in one month – Report
Business
Naira exchanges N1,650/$ in parallel market
Naira exchanges N1,650/$ in parallel market
Yesterday, the Naira appreciated N1,650 per dollar in the parallel market, compared to N1,655 on Monday.
Similarly, the Naira appreciated to N1,535 per dollar in the official foreign exchange market.
Data published by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, showed that the exchange rate for the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) fell to N1,535 per dollar from N1,537 per dollar on Monday, indicating N2 appreciation for the naira.
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Consequently, the margin between the parallel market and NFEM rate narrowed to N115 per dollar from N118 per dollar on Monday.
Naira exchanges N1,650/$ in parallel market
Business
Exchange rate ends 2024 at N1,535/$1, marking a 40.9% depreciation
Exchange rate ends 2024 at N1,535/$1, marking a 40.9% depreciation
The exchange rate between the naira and the dollar ended the year at N1,535/$1 representing a 40.9% depreciation for 2024.
The official exchange rate between the naira and dollar closed in 2023 at N907.11/$1 thus depreciating by 40.9% for the year which compares to a 49.1% devaluation at the end of 2023.
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Nigeria introduced several foreign exchange policies in 2024 as the central bank expanded on market-friendly forex policies to attract foreign investors.
Meanwhile, on the parallel market where the exchange rate is sold unofficially, the naira exchanged for N1,660 to the dollar when compared to N1,215/$ according to Nairametrics tracking records. This represents a 26.8% depreciation.
Exchange rate ends 2024 at N1,535/$1, marking a 40.9% depreciation
Business
Warri refinery: Marketers hopeful of further petrol price drop
Warri refinery: Marketers hopeful of further petrol price drop
There was excitement on Monday as the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) commenced partial production.
This is coming after nearly a decade of dormancy as the 125,000 barrels per day refinery was confirmed to be working at 60 per cent capacity, according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The refinery, inactive since 2015 due to prolonged repairs, reportedly began refining activities last Saturday at its Area 1 plant, where crude oil was successfully pumped into the system.
This was coming about a month after the commencement of operations at the 60,000-barrel-per-day-old Port Harcourt Refinery.
The NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, announced the resumption of operation at the Warri Refinery during a tour of the facility on Monday.
Kyari was seen in a video posted by Channels TV addressing a tour team, which included the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed.
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Earlier, Kyari explained that the inspection aimed to show Nigerians the level of work completed so far.
He said though the repairs on the facility were not 100 per cent complete, operations had commenced.
He said, “We are taking you through our plant. This plant is running. Although it is not 100 per cent complete, we are still in the process. Many people think these things are not real. They think real things are not possible in this country. We want you to see that this is real.”
With the addition of Warri Refinery, Nigeria’s refining capacity has further increased with marketers anticipating a further reduction in price of premium motor spirit (PMS).
The 650,000-barrel Dangote Refinery has commenced production in addition to the Port Harcourt Refinery with a total capacity of 210,000 barrels per day (bpd) comprising 60,000 bpd for the old plant and 150,000 bpd for the new plant.
It’s good for business, prices may reduce – Marketers
Major Energy Marketers’ Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) and the Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) welcomed the revival of the Warri refinery, saying it would deepen competition, diversify supply and ultimately resort to price reduction.
Executive Secretary of MEMAN, Clem Isong in a chat with our correspondent stated that the Warri Refinery is the shortest route to the North, describing its revival as good news.
“The market becomes more competitive and we are diversifying supply,” he said.
On whether it would lead to price reduction, he stated, “There are many factors that affect price, competition is always good and you can always get your product at the best price.”
National Public Relations Officer of IPMAN, Alhaji Olanrewaju Okanlawon in a chat with our correspondent said, “If there is excess supply, it will keep bringing down the price. We now run a free market and it is about demand and supply. It will continue bringing down the price. It will decongest Lagos.”
Energy expert, Dr. Ayodele Oni said the resumption of Warri Refinery would boost the local refining capacity in addition to enabling the country to sell to other neighbouring countries.
“We can refine more and even have some to sell. We now stop being hewers of wood and drawers of water. We add value to what we produce and can make/ do more with our base resources. This is very pleasant news,” he said.
Warri refinery: Marketers hopeful of further petrol price drop
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