In a recent announcement at the World Bank Group/International Monetary Fund Meeting in Marrakech, Morocco, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has weighed in on the economic situation in Nigeria, addressing the ongoing pressure on the naira and the country’s options for stabilizing its currency.

The IMF acknowledged that while Nigeria had undertaken recent exchange reforms and other measures, the naira remained under considerable pressure. Notably, the IMF expressed support for the decision made by the Central Bank of Nigeria, under the leadership of Olayemi Cardoso, to lift an eight-year foreign exchange ban on various items, including cement, rice, and poultry products, which had been put in place by the previous CBN administration in 2015.

The IMF highlighted the concerning inflation rate in Nigeria, which remained at a high of 26 percent as of August. The naira’s exchange rate had seen a significant decline, falling from approximately 450 naira to the dollar to an average of 760 naira to the dollar following President Bola Tinubu’s exchange reforms, with further depreciation evident in the parallel market, where it reached 1045 naira to the dollar.

The IMF suggested that tightening monetary policy by raising the Monetary Policy Rate and reducing excess naira liquidity was necessary to boost confidence in the foreign exchange market. It also stressed the importance of clarity regarding the Central Bank of Nigeria’s dollar obligations, as there were discrepancies in estimates, with a JP Morgan report indicating obligations of $6.8 billion but stakeholders speculating a higher figure.

Regarding the possibility of Nigeria seeking a dollar loan from the IMF to support the naira, the IMF clarified that Nigeria, like any member country, could approach the organization for financing to address external imbalances but noted that the Nigerian authorities had not made such a request at the time.

The IMF expressed confidence in the new leadership of the Central Bank of Nigeria, led by Cardoso, and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, believing that they had the capacity to make the right decisions to enhance the country’s economic prospects. Edun had outlined fiscal initiatives to increase tax revenue and reduce waivers to stimulate economic growth, while Cardoso had plans to stabilize the market and address economic challenges.

The new leadership of the Central Bank, which had recently undergone a comprehensive assessment of the challenges it faced, was considering various reforms, including reviewing foreign exchange policies, corporate governance practices, and monetary policies to align with its core mandates.

Cardoso had identified challenges and introduced high-level proposals aimed at reforming the Central Bank, including addressing issues related to monetary policies and foreign currency management. He emphasized the need for creative financing options to clear the backlog of foreign exchange demand.

Additionally, Cardoso planned to limit the Central Bank’s fiscal side interventions and introduce responses to combat inflation and ensure price stability. The new leadership aimed to evaluate existing mechanisms and introduce new tools where necessary.

In conclusion, the IMF’s statements and Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms reflect the complexities and challenges faced by the country as it navigates its economic landscape and seeks to stabilize its currency while promoting growth and development.