Banking

CBN records $2.3bn increase in forex inflow

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it reported a significant increase in foreign exchange inflow into the economy in February 2024, with marked increments in remittance payments by Nigerians overseas and purchases of naira assets by foreign portfolio investors.

The CBN Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi-Ali, made this known while speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, March 7, 2024.

Sidi-Ali said: “The bank’s data indicates that overseas remittances rose to $1.3 billion in February 2024, more than four times the $300 million received in January.

“Foreign investors purchased more than $1 billion of Nigerian assets last month, with total portfolio flows of at least $2.3 billion recorded thus far in 2024 compared to $3.9 billion seen in total for last year.”

She said higher FX inflows continued in March 2024, driven by increased investor interest in short-term sovereign debt following the recent adjustment to benchmark interest rates.

FG targets cryptocurrency to end naira freefall

The CBN spokesperson noted that the government securities issuances had been significantly oversubscribed, with foreign investors accounting for over 75 per cent of bids received at the auctions conducted on March 1 and 6, 2024.

It would be recalled that the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, set out a strategy to curb inflation, stabilise the exchange rate, and spur confidence in the banking system and economy, using last month’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting and a conference call with foreign portfolio investors to set expectations for sustained increases in Nigeria’s foreign currency reserves and improved liquidity in the foreign exchange market.

Cardoso said: “All the different measures we have taken to boost reserves and create more liquidity in the markets have started to pay off.

“When people understand the real issues and see a strategy and a plan, things tend to calm down. Our objective today is to ensure that the market has supply, that the market functions, and that investors can come in and go out.”

The Star

Segun Ojo

Recent Posts

Epstein explored Nigerian oil deals but feared being defrauded

Newly released FBI documents reveal that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein considered investing in Nigeria’s…

18 minutes ago

Bandits kill policeman, 4 others in Benue

The police officer and four other persons have been killed by armed bandits at Abande…

43 minutes ago

Man dies while rescuing goat from Oyo well

A 45-year-old man has died while trying to rescue his goat from a deep well…

1 hour ago

National convention: PDP govs reject Wike-backed committee’s attempt to restructure party

The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated on Tuesday as governors elected…

1 hour ago

Nigerian press urges FG, NASS to check big tech threats

Nigeria’s leading media organisations have urged the Federal Government and National Assembly to act urgently…

2 hours ago

Uba Sani commissions Kauru road, ends decades of neglect

Governor Uba Sani has commissioned the 22-kilometre Pambeguwa-Kahutu-Kauru asphaltic road, bringing relief to communities that…

2 hours ago

This website uses cookies.