The International Monetary Fund (IMF) upheld on Thursday its projection of a 3.3% growth rate for the economy of Nigeria in 2024, citing the improved performance of the services and commerce sectors.
It's a slight increase from last year's 2.9%. The forecast for 2025 is 3%.
According to the IMF, the economic forecast for Nigeria remains difficult.
"Over the last decade, Nigeria’s growth has just about kept up with population dynamics. Poverty has increased, and food insecurity is rising," the report read.
The IMF also noted that "with pump prices and tariffs below cost recovery, implicit subsidy costs could increase to 3% of GDP in 2024 from 1% of GDP in 2023."
However, the IMF commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for its recent decision to increase interest rates in order to control rapidly rising inflation. The IMF also emphasized the need to use data to guide future interest rate adjustments.
The IMF has also advised the CBN to increase its foreign exchange reserves. Additionally, the organization suggested that the bank establish a clear and fair system for intervening in the foreign exchange market, with the goal of reducing excessive short-term volatility.
The IMF has also advised the CBN to increase its foreign exchange reserves. Additionally, the organization suggested that the bank establish a clear and fair system for intervening in the foreign exchange market, with the goal of reducing excessive short-term volatility.
Since assuming office around one year ago, President Bola Tinubu has implemented extensive changes. These reforms include reducing expensive petrol and power subsidies, as well as depreciating the naira currency twice in the span of a year to decrease the difference between the official and parallel market exchange rates.