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CBN Commits over N1.3 trillion to Boost Economy

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has committed over N1.3 trillion to various intervention programmes, in order to boost the economy, in the last one and half years following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr. Osita Nwanisobi, the Director of Corporate Communications of the bank, disclosed this, yesterday, at the 16th International Trade Fair organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).

The Bank’s critical objective was to restore stability in the economy by providing assistance to individuals, SMEs and large corporates that had been severely impacted by the pandemic, as well as by the lockdown measures during the period.   Some of the measures taken by the Bank include, amongst others:

He said that the N343.21 billion has so far been released to 726,198 beneficiaries, comprising 602,730 households and 123,468 Small and Medium Enterprises through the Targeted Credit Facility (TCF).

The CBN spokesman said that another N134.57 billion was given to 38,140 beneficiaries under the Agribusiness/Small and Medium Enterprises Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS).

Similarly, he disclosed that over N756 billion to 3.7 million farmers cultivating over 4.6 million hectares of farmland under the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP).

According to him, N98.41 billion was disbursed in loans to support 103 healthcare projects, of which 26 were pharmaceutical companies and 77 healthcare institutions.

Mr. Nwanisobi who spoke on the theme: “Exploring the Opportunities of Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

Said that Nigeria and other African countries that were signatories to the Agreement were expected to benefit from the elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers (lowering trade costs and simplifying customs procedures) among member nations.

He added, “AfCFTA also provides Nigeria and other member countries with access to a large market, as movement of capital, people, goods and services would become easier within the free trade area.

“Similarly, it will facilitate increase in trade volumes, competitive prices and technological transfers among member countries; and serve as potential to boost intra-African trade, lift over one hundred (100) million Africans out of poverty while increasing wages including those of women and the unskilled workers if implemented successfully.’

The director expressed optimism that AfCFTA would increase inflow of foreign investments which would strengthen the foreign exchange market.

“At the Central Bank, we continue to take active steps and make policies to encourage growth and sound financial system, which would foster economic development, restore confidence in the economy and effectually conserve the reserves,” he added.

Mr.Nwanisobi urged Nigerians to focus on the production of items in which the nation comparative advantage “and also buy Nigerian products to grow Nigeria as a nation that is totally self-sufficient in producing what we consume and creating jobs for our youth will ultimately drive sustainable growth that will make life better for all our citizens.”

The apex bank spokesman assured that the institution, under the leadership of the Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, would “not rest on its oars until Nigeria gets to its destination of inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.”

In his address, the President, ACCI, Dr Al-Mujtaba Abubakar, who was represented by the 2nd Deputy President, ACCI, Prof Adesoji Adesugba, commended the CBN its Programmes and policies toward boosting the economy.

He acknowledged the impact by the CBN programmes on keeping economic activities going despite the ravaging Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

According to him, “We understand the dimension and the depth of issues involved in being a Central banker in times of national economic emergency.

“Having said that, I want to state that only during the Nigerian civil war has any Central banker faces current level of economic complexity occasioned by multiple factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Central Bank.

“The global pandemic (COVID-19), added to local economic peculiarities, present enormous threats and opportunities to the apex bank. When insecurity is added, the ecosystem defies the best of innovations and out of box thinking.

“We want to note, however that despite the perplexing operating space, the Nigerian Central Bank leadership has transformed threats to opportunities.

Under my brother and colleague, the Central Bank Governor, Chief Emefiele, the apex bank has come to the rescue of the nation by embracing developmental financing tools to contain a recession that was dovetailing into depression.

“The many interventions of the CBN significantly restored GDP growth and created the resurgence of the non -oil sector as a critical segment of GDP.”


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E-Financial

CBN to Achieve $1trn Economy with Financial Inclusion Initiatives

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The Central Bank of Nigeria has launched three initiatives aimed at realizing Nigeria’s vision of a $1 trillion economy by 2030 through financial inclusion.

The initiatives were launched at the second edition of the International Financial Inclusion Conference, which was held in Lagos on Tuesday under the theme, ‘Inclusive Growth: Harnessing Inclusion for Economic Development’.

The initiatives unveiled during this year’s conference include the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code (We-Fi Code, which is a platform designed to transform the financing landscape for women-owned Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises globally, the Women Financial Inclusion Dashboard which allows regulators and policymakers to identify and prioritise gender gaps in financial services;

The third initiative is the Roadmap for the Financial Inclusion of Forcibly Displaced Persons, which is aimed at mobilising the collaborative efforts of financial institutions, regulatory bodies, government agencies, and non-governmental organisations to support FDPs in overcoming financial barriers, accessing essential services, and establishing the foundation for their economic independence.

Olayemi Cardoso, the CBN Governor, in his welcome address, said that as we gather here today we reflect on Nigeria’s ambitious plan to reach a $1 trillion economy.

He said the Apex bank had been working assiduously to stabilise the economy, working through monetary policy to tame inflation and rebuild the confidence of the Nigerian people in its economy.

Cardoso emphasised that financial inclusion was central to achieving broad-based economic growth, stressing that Economically, financial inclusion impacts poverty reduction, income equality, employment generation, and overall productivity.

“When more people have access to formal financial services, they are better able to save, invest, and contribute to the economy,” Cardoso said.

Cardoso, while noting that financial inclusion ensures that people have access to bank accounts, credit, savings, and other essential services, maintained that widespread access to financial services is an enabler of economic activity.

According to him, Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) which are the backbone of Nigeria’s economy can thrive with improved access to credit, creating jobs and boosting productivity.

The CBN Governor reiterated that financial inclusion was foundational to Nigeria’s sustainable economic development, saying that the Apex bank was keen on ensuring its Financial Inclusion Policies and Initiatives address the peculiar access to finance barriers for underserved populations, particularly women, youth, and MSMEs.

Furthermore, Cardoso emphasised that financial inclusion had the potential to unlock significant economic growth, particularly through the empowerment of SMEs, women, and other vulnerable segments of the population.

He disclosed that SMEs were responsible for over 80 percent of employment in Nigeria, yet many struggle to access the credit needed for expansion, adding that financial inclusion for SMEs was essential to unlock the full potential of this sector, which he said the Federal Government remained committed to supporting these enterprises.

Similarly, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor, urged various governments and stakeholders in Nigeria to remain focused on building a more inclusive economy, where no one is left behind, where every voice matters, and every individual has a fair chance to succeed.

Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his Deputy, Obafemi Hamzat urged everyone to focus on the pursuit of financial inclusion, saying that this should be done with passion, purpose, and a shared vision of a Nigeria where every citizen has access to the tools and resources they needed to prosper.

According to him, the focus should be on building a more inclusive economy where no one is left behind, where every voice matters, and where every individual has a fair chance to succeed.

“Let us continue this work with passion, purpose, and a shared vision of a Nigeria where every citizen has access to the tools and resources they need to prosper.

“Let us remain focused on building a more inclusive economy where no one is left behind, where every voice matters, and where every individual has a fair chance to succeed,” Sanwo-Olu said.


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Nigeria’s Foreign Reserves Surge to $40.08bn, Marking a Two-Year High

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Nigeria’s foreign reserves surged to $40.08 billion on November 7, 2024, marking their highest level in almost two years, as reported by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

This increase reflects a $1.7 billion growth since the end of September, when reserves were at $38.3 billion.

The rise is attributed to CBN’s policies encouraging foreign currency inflows through formal channels and remittance-targeted reforms.

The CBN’s recent efforts to engage International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) and the Nigerian diaspora have been critical to this recovery.

Earlier in 2024, reserves had dipped below $34 billion due to foreign exchange pressures and global oil market volatility.

However, sustained growth from $33.7 billion in June to the current $40.08 billion highlights the CBN’s successful policy interventions, aimed at stabilizing the naira and enhancing foreign currency inflows.

CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso commented on this progress during a symposium in Abuja, noting that the current reserves level is the highest in nearly three years.

“These reforms have started yielding positive results, with notable improvements in the FX market and a stabilization of foreign reserves,” Cardoso stated.

He further emphasized the importance of diaspora engagement at recent IMF and World Bank meetings in Washington, D.C., pointing to diaspora inflows as vital to Nigeria’s remittance recovery.

Cardoso explained: “Nigeria has such a strong diaspora community here; in the earlier stages of the reforms, IMTOs were having issues transferring money back to Nigeria, and we felt it was important to engage them, and we did.

“As a result of that engagement, we identified particular problems, of which a lot of responsibility was shared. Things have since improved because as at the last meetings, which was, I think, April, monthly inflows were about $250 million, but as of September, it had risen to $600 million.”

He added, “With the recent announcement by Nigeria Interbank Settlement Systems (NIBSS) on Bank Verification Number (BVN), and other products that the banking industry is offering, and through engagement with the diaspora, we believe we will be able to move accordingly and again, rising from that engagement, we put our sights on increasing the inflows to $1 billion monthly, and I’m confident that we will get there.”


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UBA Appoints Henrietta Ugboh as Independent Non-Executive Director

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Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has announced the appointment of Henrietta Ugboh as an Independent Non-Executive Director.

The appointment has been approved by the relevant regulatory bodies, including the Central Bank of Nigeria.

UBA’s Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, CFR commenting on the appointment, said, “Henrietta Ugboh brings a track record of professional success, integrity and leadership, which will further strengthen the UBA Group Board, underlining once again the Group’s commitment to robust corporate governance.”

Ugboh holds a degree in Economics and Statistics from the University of Benin, an MBA from ESUT Business School, and is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School’s Executive Management Program. She has over 30 years experience in banking with Citibank and is an Honorary Senior Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and a Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration (FICA).

Elumelu added that with her considerable experience and expertise, which includes commercial banking, credit, and risk management, the UBA Board is delighted to welcome Mrs Ugboh to the Group Board, “We look forward to her invaluable contribution to the Group, as we continue to execute our unique growth strategy across Africa and globally.”

The Board also announced the retirement of Mrs. Owanari Duke, an Independent Non-Executive Director, who joined the UBA Group Board in October 2012.

During her tenure, Mrs. Duke provided distinguished leadership, serving on Committees of the Bank including the Board Governance Committee, Board Audit, Governance, Nomination & Remuneration Committee, Board Credit Committee, Finance & General Purpose Committee and Statutory Audit Committee.

On behalf of the board, Mr. Elumelu expressed UBA’s deep appreciation to Mrs. Duke for her dedication and significant contributions to the Group, wishing her the best in her future endeavour.

United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than forty-five million customers, across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 20 African countries.

With presence in New York, London, Paris and Dubai, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross-border payments and remittances, trade finance and related banking services


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