Get 40% Off
🤯 This Tech Portfolio is up 29% YTD! Join Now to Get April’s Top PicksGet The Picks – Just 99 USD

Nigeria's Economic Worries Mount As Inflation Hits Near 6-Year High

Published 17/05/2016, 06:21
Updated 05/03/2021, 15:50

Nigerian inflation accelerated to the fastest in almost six years during April, according to CPI figures released yesterday by the National Bureau of Statistics. Consumer prices rose 13.7% on an annual basis, up from 12.8% in March. The latest pick-up in price pressures was the sixth in as many months.

Nigeria CPI

Nigeria CPI

April’s PMI data showed a similar trend. The PMI, produced by Markit for Stanbic IBTC Bank, gathers responses from around 400 companies and gives early insight into the health of the private sector economy each month. The latest survey pointed to a record increase in selling prices, as well as a sharp rise in purchasing costs.

Nigeria PMI: Input Costs vs Output Prices

Nigeria PMI Input Costs/Output Prices

Companies indicated that the weakness of the currency and price rises linked to the scarcity of fuel had been key factors behind inflation. The Nigerian naira has been pegged against the US dollar since March 2015, meaning that importers have struggled to access foreign exchange. Though Nigeria is a major producer of oil, it also relies heavily on fuel imports – hence the recent shortages. A combination of these factors has driven prices sharply upwards.

Rising prices pose dilemma for policymakers

The surge in inflation leaves policymakers in a quandary. With year-on-year GDP growth expected to slow again when first quarter numbers are released on May 21st, the central bank is faced with the task of stimulating the economy and controlling inflation at the same time.

The PMI has highlighted Nigeria’s torrid start to the year. Output has fallen in each of the past three months, while the rate of job creation eased to a record low in April. That said, new orders stabilised in the latest period following two successive declines, helping the headline index to post at the neutral 50.0 mark.

Nigeria Output PMI vs GDP

Nigeria Output PMI vs GDP

In March, the central bank chose to raise the base rate by 100 basis points to 12% in an effort to nip inflationary pressures in the bud. However, with other factors at work, further policy tightening may instead put the country’s near-term growth prospects at risk. Needless to say, the next monetary policy announcement, due on May 24th, will be closely watched.

Disclaimer: The intellectual property rights to these data provided herein are owned by or licensed to Markit Economics Limited. Any unauthorised use, including but not limited to copying, distributing, transmitting or otherwise of any data appearing is not permitted without Markit’s prior consent. Markit shall not have any liability, duty or obligation for or relating to the content or information (“data”) contained herein, any errors, inaccuracies, omissions or delays in the data, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

In no event shall Markit be liable for any special, incidental, or consequential damages, arising out of the use of the data. Purchasing Managers' Index™ and PMI™ are either registered trademarks of Markit Economics Limited or licensed to Markit Economics Limited. Markit is a registered trade mark of Markit Group Limited."

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.