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Friday, December 18, 2020 / 05:36 PM / Central
Bank of Nigeria / Header Image Credit: Central Bank of Nigeria
1. ADAMU, EDWARD LAMETEK
The global economy is showing prospects of recovery
from the fallouts of the COVID-19 pandemic and commodity price volatility.
World output is forecast to contract by 4.4 per cent, from 4.9 per cent
contraction envisaged previously by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The
World Bank is slightly less optimistic with a forecast of 5.2 per cent
contraction in 2020. The improvement in outlook comes on the heels of recent
progress with COVID-19 vaccines, significantly eased global financial
conditions as well as increased tempo of economic activity (trade especially)
across the world. Nevertheless, there remains a great deal of uncertainty,
coming especially from the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has
resulted in resumption of partial lockdowns in Europe and Japan. Adding to the
cloud over global output recovery are the political impasse in the United
States following the November 2020 presidential election and other
geo-political risks (Iran, China, Syria, Israel/Palestine).
Meanwhile, commodity exporting countries continue to
face additional uncertainty arising from commodity price instability. For
Nigeria, low and volatile oil prices is a major cause for concern just as it is
for most OPEC member countries. This and the other downside risks identified
earlier could drag global output recovery. Even though some economies could be
out of recession by Q2 2021, regaining the output momentum of 2018/2019 (before
COVID-19) could take much longer. I think that Emerging Markets and Developing
Economies (EMDEs) should view the presumption of a spiffy global recovery
implied by most of the current forecasts with caution. First, based on the
presumption of a sharp recovery, policy makers could underestimate the amount
of adjustment needed to weather a slower and more difficult global environment.
Second, domestic policy calibrations could inadvertently be tailored to quick
fixes rather than a more comprehensive reform agenda needed to realign the
economy to the emerging economic order (new normal) of asymmetric external
spillovers - weak gains from positive external conditions and strong/heavy
penalty from adverse ones. An indication of the former is here - capital
inflows to most EMDEs including Nigeria has remained sluggish despite the
unprecedented (high) liquidity injections and (low) yields in the advanced
economies. Similarly, a rebound in global growth, whenever, is unlikely to be
accompanied by crude oil prices as high as witnessed in the 2000s until the
global financial crisis. It is therefore pertinent for oil producing economies
like Nigeria to look more in the direction of non-oil activities for recovery.
Nigeria's real gross domestic product (GDP) contracted
by 3.62 per cent in Q3 2020, implying a descent into a recession. However,
relative to Q2 which recorded a contraction of 6.10 per cent, the Q3 outcome
represents a significant improvement. Beneath the headline, we find some
interesting undercurrents. Agriculture remained positive at 1.39 per cent,
while Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas contracted twice as much as in Q2 2020.
Importantly, the improvement in output during the quarter was driven mainly by Industry
which climbed about 6 percentage points from -12 per cent in Q2, thanks to
Construction and Manufacturing. These details underscore the importance of the
real sector interventions by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the wake of
the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking ahead, I could see prospects of an early exit
from the current recession, premised on a more hopeful global economic
environment following the rapid progress with vaccines; trends in overall and
sector GDP performance from Q2 to Q3 2020 with Q3 real GDP outperforming most
projections; rising PMIs and capital market indicators; robust credit flow to
the real sector as the loan-to-deposit ratio (LDR) and differentiated cash
reserves requirement (DCRR) policies continue to make impact, strengthening the
effect of interventions in the real sector; impact of harvests and the promise
of the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP).
Meanwhile inflation remains muted in advanced
economies, but creeping up in some EMDEs including Nigeria, owing to depreciating
exchange rates and supply bottlenecks. Although most analysts would not blame
monetary expansion for the consumer price pressures in some EMDEs, the element
of increased (pent-up) demand could partially embody the influence of cheap
money. As such, even as monetary and fiscal stimuli appear to be the ace in the
race against output and employment losses, growth promoting policies in these
countries must be designed to target activities that directly support
production and ease supply. In the face of rising domestic inflation
underpinned by exchange rate pressures, further easing of monetary conditions
must be predicated on the principle that, by directly incentivizing production
and supply, both low inflation and output expansion may be within reach. The
CBN Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has been guided by this consideration,
which in my view has proved to be credible. Both the LDR and DCRR policies have
ensured unprecedented flow of credit to growth and employment promoting
sectors, which is partly why we can be optimistic about early recovery from the
current recession. Along same line of reasoning, I am persuaded that a more
aggressive implementation of the development finance interventions of the Bank
would quicken recovery and ease supply-induced pressures on consumer prices.
From the fiscal side, measures aimed at alleviating production and distribution
bottlenecks will equally be significant. In particular, security remains a
priority towards evacuation from farm and distribution of food commodities
across the country.
I should emphasize that at the root of the present
economic crisis is a health crisis, COVID-19 pandemic. And so, policy
priorities must therefore continue to include; (1) financial support to
activities that are most constrained/impacted by the pandemic as revealed by
the Q2 and Q3 output numbers and (2) securing more resources for the health
system. The CBN is almost at the limits of what monetary instruments can do.
Therefore, fiscal policy must step in to deliver long-term economic stability
even if, as it were, the capacity to do so appears to be thin currently in view
of multiple constraints on public finances. Government nevertheless must find a
way to promote resource development - the recourse under the present
circumstances for Nigeria appears to be external financing. This is because,
increasing taxes in a recession can be challenging and perhaps,
counterintuitive.
Finally, at the November 2020 meeting of the MPC, I
opted for a hold position, having viewed the extant monetary policy stance as
enough to keep liquidity conditions optimal. It is comforting that the domestic
money market has remained stable and supportive of economic activity. I saw no
credible risk to system liquidity in the short- to medium-term, given the impressive
financial soundness indicators (FSIs) coming from the banking system. Industry
capital adequacy continues to be robust just as earnings and liquidity. Despite
significant expansion in the loan books, banks' non-performing loans have
remained reasonably contained and well provisioned. I should say that sustained
financial stability will be essential to the output recovery process.
In summary, I voted to:
Retain the Asymmetric Corridor at +100/-700 basis
points around the MPR;
Retain the MPR at 11.5 per cent;
Retain the CRR at 27.5 per cent; and
Retain the Liquidity Ratio at 30 per cent.
2. ADENIKINJU, ADEOLA FESTUS
Overview of International Development
The rise of second wave of the coronavirus is driving
more countries to go back to some forms of lockdown to slowdown the pressure on
hospitals, healthcare facilities and hospital personnel, as number of cases and
death soar. The lockdown and other forms of restrictions to the economy may
reduce the strength of expected recoveries and impacts on demand for oil and
gas and other commodities. Counterbalancing this, however, are the exciting
news about several vaccines which are expected to receive emergency
authorization in most countries. Hence, global output growth for 2021 is
forecast to improve to 5.2% in 2021 from -4.4% in 2020.
Domestic Economic Performance
The presentations by Bank Staff show that Real GDP
declined by -3.62% in Q3.2020, an improvement over the -6.10% recorded in
Q2.2020. The oil and nonoil sectors contracted by -13.89% and -2.51% in
Q3.2020, respectively. Equity market indices, the All-Share Index (ASI) and
Market capitalization rose significantly between September and November 2020.
All components of inflation rose in October 2020; however, food inflation rose
the highest. Headline inflation rose to 14.23% in October, up from 13.71% in
September 2020. The increase in inflation is due to increase in food and
non-alcoholic beverages and core inflation. Broad Money in October 2020, which
stood at 3.53% was below the revised provisional benchmark of 4.66%. Exchange
rate continues to be under significant pressure as the gap between the I&E
rate and the BDC rate widened.
The CBN monthly Purchasers Market Index shows that
employment recovery lags output recovery. The unemployment rate is above NAIRU,
and the negative output gap widens significantly to -9.10% in Q2.2020, from
-2.1% in Q1, 2020. Capital inflow remains low and fiscal position of the
Government is weak. Oil production and export are below 2020 budget provisions.
However, the relative health of the financial sector
is strong. The financial soundness indicators for the month of October 2020
were generally good. The Non-Performing Loans Ratio improved over the last MPC
meeting. The Liquidity Ratio remain above the minimum prudential requirement.
The Returns on Equity and Returns on Assets for the Banking Industry are steady
and perform relatively better than for comparator countries. Aggregate deposits
continue to grow despite the sharp fall in deposit interest rates. Other major
industry size indicators like Assets and Credits continue their upward positive
trajectories. There is improved lending to the real sector by both the deposit
money banks and the other financial institutions. These suggest that the CBN is
managing the impacts of the pandemic shocks on the financial sector relatively
well. Allowing banks to restructure their loans portfolio was a wise decision.
However, the CBN should continue to maintain strong surveillance over the
industry and guide the orderly winding down of the policies put in place to
control the impacts of the pandemic on the banking sector.
The impressive performance of the various intervention
funds also show that Nigerians are taking advantage of the funds to boost
households demand and improve output of small and medium scale enterprises. The
Bank should continue to monitor the disbursement of the funds to ensure wide
access and efficient performance of the funds. Information presented by Bank
staff show that there is geographical coverage in the disbursements of the
funds.
General Considerations
The Nigerian economy slipped into recession in Q3.
2020, following two consecutive contractions of output growth. This is not
peculiar to Nigeria, as general expectation is that vast majority of countries
will record negative GDP growth rates in 2020. Inflation has also ticked up in
most emerging and developing countries, while several countries also
experienced depreciation in their local currencies against the dollar for most
of 2020. However, the rise in inflation in Nigeria is not totally unexpected.
The current strategy to expand aggregate domestic supply to boost economic
growth and employment rates and consequently reduce general price level is not
a shortterm objective. This strategy of expanding credit, to boost supply and
growth, in my view, contributed to the less than steep decline in economic
growth in Q3.2020, as vast majority of sectors improved on their growth
performance in Q3. 2020 relative to Q2.2020. Business optimism for December
2020 and January 2021, reflected in the Business surveys by the Bank is on the
rise. Empirical studies have shown that sectors like trade, agriculture and
education will help inclusive recovery and deserve support. However, there is a
need to address the wide divergence in the exchange rates in the BDC and
I&E windows.
The current intervention focuses more on demand
management, rather than on finding ways to expand alternative sources of
foreign exchange supply to the market. The country must reverse the current
significant deficit in the balance of trade account. If imports continue to
exceed exports, our foreign reserves will continue to be under significant
pressure. We must focus attention on export competitive and local competitive
industries. While there is a marginal downward trend in retail lending rates,
the gap between the lending and deposit rates remain unacceptably high. The
banks should be persuaded to do more to lower retail lending rates to
complement the current policy stance of the CBN. As was suggested in my
previous Personal Statement, there is a need to frontload some of the intervention
programmes under the Economic Sustainability Plan. In addition, the Federal
Government interventions should focus more on public works, and capital
projects, that offer direct employment to Nigerians, rather than direct cash
transfers, given especially the lack of supporting data and institutional
weaknesses around direct money transfers in Nigeria.
Decision
I believe ongoing intervention policies and programmes
should be allowed to work, while we monitor their developments and improve on
their effective implementation. I have not really seen anything in Q3.2020 that
I was not expecting after our earlier decisions in sectoral output relative to
Q2.2020, though prices also rose largely reflecting both supply and
distributional issues, as well as pressures from the foreign exchange market.
There is a need to look at the exchange rate policy to ensure we are not unduly
penalizing the supply side of the market. A review of the land border closure
to provide respite on pressures within the local market is also due.
Based on the above I cast my vote at this meeting to
maintain all existing monetary policy parameters:
1. Keep MPR at 11.5%
2. Maintain CRR at 27.5%
3. Maintain Liquidity Ratio at 30%
4. Maintain Asymmetry Corridor around the MPR at +100
/ -700 basis points.
4. AHMAD, AISHAH N.
The November 2020 MPC meeting and last for the year
held against a backdrop of promising results of COVID-19 vaccine trials by at
least three major global pharmaceutical companies. Whilst oil prices and stock
markets rebounded on this positive news, emergence of a second and in a few
cases, third wave of infections in some countries slightly dampens the hopes of
return to normalcy by the global economy.
The domestic economy on its part, formally entered a
recession given the release of the third quarter 2020 (Q3 2020) real GDP
figures of -3.62 per cent. Though negative for the second consecutive quarter,
it is notable that this performance was a marked improvement (40.7 per cent)
from the Q2 2020 GDP figure of -6.10 per cent. Further assessment of the GDP
data showed that 17 out of 46 sectors grew in Q3 2020, compared with 13 sectors
in the previous quarter, providing cautious optimism that the recession will be
short lived.
This positive outlook of a rebound in economic
activity over the medium term is further supported by the gradual improvement
in the Manufacturing and Nonmanufacturing Purchasing Managers' Indices (PMIs)
which rose to 50.2 and 47.6 index points, respectively in November 2020,
compared with 49.4 and 46.8 index points in October 2020. The employment level
index component of both PMIs also improved in November 2020 to 47.3 index
points and 46.7 index points, respectively, from 46.0 index points and 44.2
index points in October 2020.
Downside risks to growth prospects - limited fiscal
space and volatile crude oil prices persist, amidst recent unrests in the
country, requiring focused and coordinated fiscal and monetary policy actions
to drive a quick and sustainable recovery. Opportunities to ramp up fiscal
revenue, improve FX supply and stabilize the exchange rate exist in rigorous
pursuit of export proceeds from the non-oil sector of the economy, which
thankfully contributed significantly to Q3 20 Classified as Confidential 2020
GDP growth. Intensified implementation of the Economic Sustainability Plan
alongside ongoing targeted interventions by the Bank, which have been expanded
to cover more sectors, such as health, education and particularly the youth
population, will be critical in accelerating the recovery.
The persistent rise in domestic prices remains a
concern, with headline inflation (year-on-year) rising for the fourteenth
consecutive month to 14.23 per cent in October 2020 from 13.71 per cent in
September 2020. This was attributed, as presented by data from the National
Bureau of Statistics, to increases in both food and core inflation, which rose
to 17.38 and 11.14 per cent in October 2020 from 16.66 and 10.58 per cent in
September 2020, respectively. Structural issues such as insecurity, supply
chain disruptions due to the pandemic combined with impact of exchange rate
adjustment and increases in VAT, price of PMS and electricity tariff continue
to drive domestic prices northward. Further uptick in prices may also be
expected in the near term as the traditional end of year spike in economic
activities sets in; however, this should taper in the first quarter of 2021 as
the harvest is concluded and food production improves.
Exchange rate pressures persisted in response to low
foreign exchange supply and rising FX demand as domestic and global travels and
economic activities resumed. The Bank's strategic exchange rate management
initiatives including adjusting the exchange rate in response to market
fundamentals, eliminating over-invoicing and mispricing of imports into the
country via an independent Product Price Verification Mechanism to ensure that
quoted prices are validated before Forms M are approved, are expected to help
moderate the FX supply - demand imbalance. These initiatives would also help
reduce spurious and speculative demand, improve receipts of legitimate FX
earnings and attract foreign portfolio investment, thereby stabilizing the
exchange rate. With the gradual recovery in crude oil prices, currently over
US$40 per barrel from low 21 Classified as Confidential levels of US$20 per
barrel in Q1 2020, FX inflows are expected to improve, while other more
sustainable sources of FX supply continue to be explored.
The financial system retained its operational and
financial resilience, sustaining critical support to the economy through the
crisis. Credit growth remained on an upward trajectory with robust soundness
indicators and sustained decline in average lending rates.
For instance, gross credit grew by N290.13 billion
between end-August 2020 and November 13, 2020 while total gross credit growth
of N3,976.34 billion was recorded from N15,567.66 billion at end-May 2019 to
N19,544.00 billion at November 13, 2020. Much of this credit was channeled to
manufacturing, consumer, general commerce and agriculture - all key employment
generating sectors. This was broadly driven by effective implementation of the
Loan to Deposit Ratio, Interventions and other complementary policies to ramp
up credit to the economy.
The gradual decline reported in lending rates is a
positive development that improves access to credit for more households and
businesses with a view to stimulating economic activity, creating jobs and
driving a more sustainable and inclusive growth. As at October 2020, 86.23 per
cent of total loans granted to over one (1) million customers, by Deposit Money
Banks (DMBs) were at interest rates considerably below 20 per cent; an
improvement from 76.43 per cent as at July 2019.
This low interest rate environment was also reflected
in the Open Buy Back rate which stood at 1.88 per cent at end-October 2020, an
indication of a highly liquid banking system. Under this scenario, the Bank
must maintain vigilance to ensure optimal liquidity levels to support price
stability and sustainable economic growth
Industry financial soundness indicators strengthened
with non-performing loans ratio declining to 5.7 per cent at end-October 2020,
from 6.1 per cent (endAugust 2020), while capital adequacy improved to 15.5 per
cent from 15.3 per cent over the same period. Profitability performance also
remained satisfactory buoyed by improvement in non-interest income. Financial
sustainability of banks will be paramount as moratoriums on restructured loans
lapse in the near term to strengthen absorptive capacity for any potential
losses and maintain lending support to the real economy.
Policy decision
Although the global economy witnessed a
better-than-expected recovery in the third quarter of 2020, headwinds largely
associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and weak crude oil prices persist.
Nonetheless, news of a likely effective corona virus vaccine on the horizon
raises hopes of a more robust global economic recovery.
Whilst the domestic economy formally entered into
recession in Q3, outlook for the economy remains broadly positive given an
expected return to normalcy in global travels and economic activity - as
vaccines are administered - and trends observed from the Q3 2020 GDP numbers,
which suggest an upward trajectory in domestic output. Nonetheless, it is
imperative to facilitate a strong and inclusive economic recovery through
expansionary fiscal policies if the country is to exit recession quickly,
especially given the significant negative impact of the pandemic on key
macroeconomic variables.
The fiscal space however, remains significantly
constricted, requiring monetary policy to step in further. This is even as
Inflation continues on its upward trend, a threat to the primary remit of the
Committee requiring tighter monetary policy, which would be counterproductive
for an economy in recession. As noted in my September statement, the monetary
authority is thus faced with very difficult 23 Classified as Confidential
tradeoffs, making the case for maintaining the policy stance very strong at the
moment.
A number of factors support this assertion. Although
output growth remains challenged, it is expected to turn the corner in the near
term, fueled by increased lending to the manufacturing, agriculture and
consumer goods sectors and a progressively lower interest rate environment.
I also reckon that sustaining and ramping up ongoing
fiscal and monetary initiatives to stimulate the domestic economy, which are
beginning to yield fruit, would accelerate growth and help reduce supply shocks
to inflation in the medium term. More so, given the understandably lengthy lag
of monetary policy, the effects of previous decisions are still permeating the
system. In my view, a policy adjustment could trigger unwarranted shocks and
derail an imminent recovery; thus, presenting no compelling reason to alter the
monetary policy stance at this time.
Based on the foregoing, I vote to hold all parameters
at existing levels; Retain the MPR at 11.5 per cent; Retain the asymmetric
corridor of +100/-700 basis points around the MPR; Retain the CRR at 27.5 per
cent; and Retain the Liquidity Ratio at 30 per cent.
5. ALIYU, AHMED
International And Domestic Economic
Developments
The global economy has continued with an uneven
recovery path following the lifting of institutionalized lockdowns in most
countries. However, output growth is being threatened by the emergence of the
second wave of the COVID-19 global pandemic in many jurisdictions which has
engendered renewed inhibitive measures to curb the spread. Against this
backdrop, the recent development of effective vaccines to combat corona virus
has generated some excitement and cautious optimism that the global economy
would experience a slower than expected deceleration in output at end-Q4 2020.
The revised October 2020 forecast of the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) shows that global output is expected to contract by -4.4
per cent at year-end rather than the -4.9 per cent projected in June due to
better than anticipated economic performance in most advanced economies in Q2
2020 and an even better expected outturns in the third quarter. Moreover, the
synchronized efforts of fiscal and monetary authorities in both Advanced and
Emerging Market Economies in providing liquidity support to economic agents is
a significant factor in the moderation of the deep global recession envisaged
at end-2020. Thus, the Advanced Economies are now expected to contract by -5.8
per cent in 2020 and rebound to a positive growth of 3.9 per cent in 2021
compared with the June IMF projection of -8.0 and 4.8 per cent, respectively.
The new IMF update also indicates that the Emerging and Developing Market
Economies (EDMEs) will witness growth of -3.3 and 6.0 per cent in 2020 and
2021, respectively.
There is a strong positive correlation between global
economic performance and external trade flows. The pandemic and the
accompanying containment measures dealt a debilitating blow to cross-border
supply chains and resulted in 25 Classified as Confidential a precipitous fall
in aggregate demand and global output, never seen since the end of World War
II. Large-scale and widespread economic disruptions of this magnitude
constrained regional and global trade. Consequently, the IMF forecast that
global trade will nose-dive by -10.4 per cent in 2020 - a slight upgrade from
the forecast of -11.9 per cent in June 2020, this has serious implications for
Government revenue in developing countries like Nigeria.
The persisting lull in the international crude oil
market has kept prices muted around US$40 per barrel. Although this trend is
much below the pre-pandemic level, the picture may get better in the
foreseeable future as the development of effective COVID-19 vaccines is giving
rise to renewed impetus in the global economy. Moreover, should the plan by
OPEC+ to extend production cut to the first quarter of 2021 crystalize, the
horizon for oil price would brighten further in the near term. This scenario
may improve strategic foreign exchange management by the Bank to maintain
exchange rate stability and douse the pass-through of imported inflation into
domestic prices. Moreover, the Bank should continue to identify and remove
deleterious inhibitions to autonomous inflows of foreign exchange into the
Nigerian economy. Besides, the need for a conducive and secured business
environment cannot be over-emphasized as it will encourage the inflow of
foreign portfolio and other investments.
Price development data from the National Bureau of
Statistics (NBS) reveals that headline inflation (year-on-year) continued its
upward trajectory as it rose to 14.23 per cent in October 2020 from 13.71 per
cent in the preceding month. Food and core inflation (year-on-year) also
climbed to 17.38 and 11.14 per cent from16.66 and 10.58 per cent, respectively in
the review period. On a month-on-month basis, headline, core and food inflation
soared to 1.54, 1.25, and 1.96 per cent in October 2020. The principal drivers
of headline inflation are food, nonalcoholic beverages, housing, water,
electricity, gas as well as other fuel. Both food and core inflation are
majorly propelled by processed food. The on-going massive interventions in the
area of agricultural production is yielding favourable outcomes as the average
price of farm produce (m-o-m) declined by 0.41 percentage point from 1.16 per
cent in September 2020 to 0.75 per cent in October.
According to the data recently released by NBS, the
Nigerian economy slipped into recession - the second since Q2 2016 - after
output contracted for the second consecutive quarter. Real GDP shrunk by -3.62
per cent in Q3 2020 compared with -6.10 per cent in the preceding quarter. The
resilience of the Nigerian economy came to the fore as the negative growth
moderated by 2.48 percentage points in Q3 2020. Sectorial consideration
indicates that the oil sector performance worsened in Q3 2020 by recording a
contraction of -13.89 per cent compared with -6.63 per cent in the previous
quarter, while the non-oil sector grew by -2.51 per cent in Q3 2020 which is a
remarkable improvement of 3.54 percentage points over the -6.05 per cent in the
previous quarter. CBN staff projections based on several oil price scenarios
show that negative real GDP growth will persist up to Q1 2021. The Purchasing
Managers Index (PMI) corroborates the uptrend in economic activities as the
Manufacturing PMI crossed the breakeven point to 50.2 index points in November
2020 compared with 49.4 index points in October. The Non-Manufacturing PMI,
although below the 50.0 mark, improved nevertheless to 47.6 index points in
November 2020 over the 46.8 index points in the preceding month.
The salutary growth outcome is strongly driven by the
synchronized fiscal, monetary and regulatory responses that provided massive
credits and other support to households and businesses to enhance personal
consumption, investment and aggregate demand. For instance, the Government is
implementing the Economic Sustainability Plan, the SME Survival Funds
initiative, mass housing schemes, solar-powered homes, 798 km road network by
the private sector (in return for tax rebates), massive job creation activities
in all the 774 LGAs, amongst others. Moreover, the Central Bank of Nigeria has
made great strides with its COVID-19 credit facilities, including the
healthcare fund, targeted credit facility, real sector funds, the Agri-Business
Small and Medium Enterprises Investment Scheme (AGSMIS) and the Creative
Industry Financing Initiative (CIFI). These interventions constitute veritable
game changers in the present recessionary economy.
Monetary developments indicate that broad money (M3)
grew by 3.53 per cent in October 2020 compared with 3.20 per cent in September.
Likewise, banking system deposits rose by 23.6 per cent to N30.92 trillion in
October 2020 compared with N25.02 trillion in January 2020. The net banking
system liquidity closed at N655.42 billion on October 30, 2020. Hence, it is
necessary to continue the use of relevant policy tools to mop-up excess
liquidity above the safe threshold. Concurrently, well-targeted credit delivery
to productive economic sectors should be sustained to rapidly expand aggregate
demand. Total credit increased by 10.5 per cent to N19.39 trillion in October
2020 from N17.54 trillion in January 2020. The momentum of implementation of
the Loan-to-Deposit Ratio Policy and other growth-enhancing policies should be
geared up to assure a quick exit from recession.
The improved Q3 2020 growth outcome is in harmony with
the rising positive sentiments in the equity market due to portfolio
rebalancing from fixed income securities to equities. Thus, the All-Share Index
(ASI) increased by 20.55 per cent to 30,530.69 on October 30, 2020 from
25,327.13 in the preceding month. Market capitalization also recorded a leap of
20.82 per cent to N15.96 trillion from N13.21 trillion during the review
period. These trends sign-post an economy on a recovery track. In general, the
banking sector remains stable as key financial soundness indicators and stress
test portray a robust system capable of withstanding destabilizing shocks and
delivering the growth agenda.
Consideration For Voting
In determining policy choice, I considered the various
competing objectives of monetary policy, which include: output growth, taming
spiraling inflationary pressure and maintaining stability in the foreign
exchange market. On output growth, I observed that the policy rate was cut in
the previous Monetary Policy Committee Meeting and knowing that monetary policy
operates with a lag, some reasonable amount of time is required to allow the
effect of policy measure to get underway. For instance, the short term interest
rate (represented by Open-Buy Back - OBB - rate) appears to be responding to
policy as it declined from 1.34 per cent in September 2020 to 0.75 per cent in
October. The short term rate may transmit into lower commercial bank lending
rate. Importantly, the growth momentum is expected to heighten further as the
implementation of COVID-19 stimulus package continues to unfold. On persistent
inflationary pressure, the recent deceleration in the average price of farm
produce from 1.16 per cent in September 2020 to 0.75 per cent in October is
indicative that the upward price trend may reverse in the near term. Moreover,
the Bank is expected to continue its aggressive mop up of excess liquidity with
the CRR policy and other means to curtail inflation. On exchange rate
stability, the development of corona virus vaccines and possible extension of
OPEC+ oil cut may translate into higher crude oil prices, increase in external
reserves and better exchange rate management.
In view of the above considerations and taking into
cognizance the need to allow the extant policy thrust to permeate through the
economic system, I voted to retain all policy parameters at their present
levels:
6. ASOGWA, ROBERT CHIKWENDU
Background:
The resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic since
September 2020, particularly in Europe and North America has created
disruptions and considerable uncertainty about the future. The darkened
economic picture since November has triggered some changes in policy outlook as
many countries now expect a setback in recovery. While this second wave of the
pandemic may result in very different economic outcomes across the developed
and developing economies, the recovery prospects will largely depend on the new
spread of the virus, the sectoral growth drivers of the national economies as
well as the strength of national policy responses. Monetary policy decisions in
the near term, should therefore reflect these expectations at the global and
domestic levels as well as uncertainties surrounding the new forecasts.
Global Economic Outlook rebound
appears Interrupted in Q4 of 2020:
The global economy suffered a severe shock in the
first half of 2020 but rebounded strongly with impressive third quarter GDP
growth across several developed economies. However, this rebound has been
interrupted by the unfolding second and third waves of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The incomplete recovery has introduced some considerable uncertainty in the
economic forecast for the fourth quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 2021.
CBN staff report show some sharp quarter 3 recovery in
many economies which earlier appeared to maintain solid economic performance
heading into quarter 4. In the US, growth expanded in the third quarter of 2020
by 33.1 percent compared with a contraction of -31.4 percent in the second
quarter. In the Euro Area, GDP grew by 12.7 percent in the third quarter of
2020 after it contracted by 11.8 percent in the second quarter, but in China,
growth slowed in quarter 3 to 2.7 percent after a sharp recovery to 11.7
percent in the second quarter.
The outlook for the global economy for now remains
highly uncertain and largely depends on the future path of the virus and if
there are early successes in bringing the second and third waves of infections
under control. The recent forecast based on the possibility of a protracted new
wave of the pandemic is that global growth will fade in the closing months of
2020 and up to the beginning of 2021. In the Eurozone, real GDP is expected to
contract in the fourth quarter of 2020, while recovery will be limited in the
first quarter of 2021. Growth in the US is now expected at 3.7 percent in the
fourth quarter with average growth in four quarters of 2021 projected at only
1.9 percent. In the UK, growth is also expected to fall by 11 percent in 2020,
which may be the largest drop in annual output in more than a century. The
outlook is however brighter in most parts of Asia and it is anticipated that
global growth in the next few months will depend on Asian countries, notably
China, where the threat of a second wave of infections are reduced. For the
emerging markets and developing economies, given the negative spill overs from
the growth weakness in major economies alongside the disruptions associated
with the individual country outbreaks, growth outcomes in the last quarter of
2020 and first half of 2021 are expected to contract, but at varying degrees
and may be worse for commodity exporting countries with the persisting weak
demand.
Inflation remains subdued in a number of developed
economies eventhough there are nascent fears of money flooding the economies
given the significant fiscal stimulus programmes in recent times, which may
possibly result in runaway inflation further down the line. In the Euro Zone,
headline inflation has been benign and even pushed into negative territory in
recent months with the steep fall in energy prices. This is similar to the
United States where inflation has not markedly changed since the start of 2020.
Several emerging and developing countries are also experiencing moderated rates
of inflation, while in a few others, especially in Africa, where food supply
shortages have continued to put upward pressure on the general price level.
Expectedly, monetary policies are set to remain
supportive in a number of countries. As many Central Banks appear to have
reached lower limits with respect to interest rate cuts, the announcements in
the last six months have been much more of unconventional policy tools- than
they are about interest rates. The various asset purchase programmes including
the pandemic emergency purchase programme which the European Central Bank
introduced had by mid-2020 surpassed 1,350 billion euros. The sharpness of
recovery from the second and third waves especially for developed countries
will depend largely on the willingness of governments to extend and possibly
increase the recovery support programmes which they already started at the
beginning of the crisis. The encouraging news about the vaccine shows that the
stimulus packages can be phased out early next year especially given the noted
concerns about possible potential inflationary impact of these additional money
supply.
Domestic Economic Recovery also looks
bumpy:
Both positive and negative factors, partly
counteracting each other have characterised recent domestic economic outlook.
Although the quarter 3 output growth figures which as was widely expected
remained at negative territory of -3.62 percent, it is an improvement from the
-6.10 percent growth recorded in quarter 2. There are also indications of a
strong economic momentum heading into quarter 4. Besides, the gradual recovery
in oil prices, CBN Staff data show that the Nigerian Manufacturing PMI improved
in November 2020, rising above the 50 index points benchmark for the first time
in six months. Similarly, the non-Manufacturing PMI also improved in November
when compared to the position in September and October 2020.
Also, on the positive side are the developments in the
equity market and the banking system. The increase in equity market
capitalization by 20.82 percent between September and October 2020 is an
indication of growing local market sentiments and investors continuing trust
that the supportive fiscal and monetary policies by Government will probably
lead to a faster economic rebound. Similarly, banks performance data still show
strong resilience in the industry, similar to the situation at the September
2020 MPC meeting. The decline in the non-performing loans ratio between August
and October 2020 as well as the strong profitability indicators certainly rules
out the possibility of any financial market risk in the near term.
The rising inflationary trend and the growing public
debt however remain the principal risk factors on the negative side which have
created considerable uncertainty. Inflation rate in Nigeria had by October 2020
climbed to a 30 month high up to 14.23 percent from 13.71 percent in September
2020. Recent projections by CBN Staff suggest further increases in both
headline and core inflation in December 2020 and January 2021, especially as
food supply shortages as well as rising petrol and electricity prices remain
unaddressed.
The pandemic has put the public finances at the
national and sub-national levels in a weaker position and fiscal deficit is
expected to be very significant in Nigeria in 2020 as Government social and
infrastructure spending rises and revenue falls especially for crude oil
receipts. Staff report show that in September 2020, Federal Government fiscal
operations recorded a 60 percent deficit in expenditure as revenues could only
cover 40 percent of total expenditure. These recent increases in borrowing
renders Nigeria's public finances more vulnerable to changes in financing conditions
and other future shocks. Arresting the continued rise in public debt is likely
to require some fiscal adjustment and expenditure efficiency especially after
the COVID-19 pandemic has run its course.
Looking beyond the next few months, we see a rosier
economic picture that will emerge progressively in Nigeria, particularly from
the second half of 2021. There is growing optimism that local consumption and
investment which has been 33 Classified as Confidential spurred by CBN's recent
credit interventions in various sectors will catalyse normalization of growth
dynamics. Moreover, the post-Trump era and Brexit conclusions will likely spur
global trade and improve demand for commodities.
Decision:
While the third quarter GDP data points to a notable
rebound of economic activity from the slump in Quarter 2, the recent spike in
the COVID-19 virus and the gradual re-introduction of restrictions in a number
of advanced countries has heightened uncertainty which may probably weigh on
the output growth in Q4. Against this background, monetary policy stance should
remain fairly expansionary in order to support the recovery in economic
activity, eventhough on the price front, the upward pressures arising from
supply shortages remain unabated.
Despite some speculation about another cut in policy
rates, this position seems unlikely now given the existing uncertainties and
the need to allow the effects of the last policy adjustments permeate in the
financial system. A wait-and-see approach with benchmark rates unchanged whilst
ensuring that monetary policy remain supportive and synchronised with
developments on the fiscal side is the best option. An expansion of the
existing easing package and the Government COVID-19 support programmes will
help to mitigate the adverse impact of the COVID-19 health crisis and sustain
the economic recovery process. As it stands now, the Central Bank of Nigeria
may be expected to continue to shoulder much of the burden of this expanded
easing package given the persisting revenue challenges on the part of the
fiscal authorities.
I will thus vote to:
6. OBADAN, MIKE I.
Introduction
Like the 275th meeting, the 276th meeting of the
Monetary Policy Committee was held in the environment of covid-19 pandemic.
This pandemic has continued to impact global economic developments and
performances of individual economies. Following the easing of economic
lockdowns and gradual relaxation of restrictions to movements of goods and
persons within countries and between countries, economic activities started to
revive impacting positively global demand and growth. However, it seems that
some countries relaxed the coronavirus containment measures rather prematurely
or the governments did not have the political will to implement them so as to
have an effective handle on the pandemic. Hence, the emergence of second wave
of COVID-19 in several advanced countries including the United States, United
Kingdom, France, Ireland, Belgium and Australia.
A third wave of covid-19 is being experienced by
Japan. The first wave covid-19 caused huge contractions in countries' national
productivity and output. Now, the relatively weak recoveries achieved after the
first wave is being threatened by a second and even third wave of the pandemic.
In these countries economic activity and return to normal economic activities
are being undermined by rising cases of covid-19. Strong containment measures,
including the re-introduction of local and nation-wide lockdowns in some cases,
to tackle the pandemic have negative implications for global demand, recovery
and growth. The implications of weak recovery for global demand for crude oil,
upon which Nigeria depends for its fiscal and foreign exchange sustenance, are
very grave.
There is the good news though that in the short to
medium-term, there is likely to be light at the end of the tunnel following the
November 9, 2020 report that the United pharmaceutical company, Pfizer and its
German partner, BioTech SE, have developed a covid-19 vaccine that is over 90
percent effective in addressing covid-19. Some other companies have also
announced break-throughs on corona-virus vaccine. It is to be hoped that the
vaccines will be accessible to the poor countries and that their governments
would do the needful to enhance access of their citizens to the vaccine when
available. Successful vaccine will boost confidence, reduce uncertainty and
boost global economic activities including trade.
Major Global
Developments
Until the resurgence of fresh waves of covid-19 in
some advanced countries, global growth prospects seemed good. Among the
advanced countries, the United States, Eurozone, United Kingdom and Japan
recorded notable positive growths in the third quarter: 33.1, 12.7, 15.5 and
5.0 per cent, respectively, compared to huge contractions in the second quarter
of 2020. Among the Emerging Market and Developing Economies (EMDEs), China is
still operating in the positive growth territory. It recorded positive growth
of 2.7 percent in the third quarter although much lower than its 2nd quarter
growth rate. And from the IMF's growth forecast for 2020, China stands out as
the only country likely to achieve positive growth rate: 1.9 percent. With
effective containment of the fresh waves of covid-19 and the availability of
effective vaccines, the growth prospects for 2021 seem good considering the
projections of the IMF and World Bank: -4.4 and 5.2 per cent in 2020 and 2021,
respectively. One rather curious thing about the corona virus is that China,
which first reported the virus, has long had a good handle on the disease,
revived economic activities, and experiencing positive growth that is projected
to be higher than those for other countries in 2021. Other countries have not
learned lessons from China on how contained the virus. It is possible that that
country's known political and social discipline must have been a major factor.
Output and trade are very closely related. And so, the
uncertainties surrounding global growth arising from second/third waves of the
coronavirus and the associated containment measures including lockdowns also
apply to global trade. Consequently, the realisation of the IMF's projected
recovery of global trade by 8.3 percent in 2021 compared to -10.4 percent
contraction in 2020 depends on the impacts of the fresh lockdowns.
Generally, global commodity prices have remained weak
due to the downturn in businesses and caution being exercised by individuals
that are wary of a rebound of coronavirus and the prospects of another downturn
in global economy. Crude oil which is of particular interest to Nigeria and
other OPEC member countries has continued to be characterised by low prices.
Weak demand has continued to affect the market for oil adversely. Coronavirus
containment measures, especially lockdown which restricted travel and
movements, seriously reduced fuel consumption globally. Consequently, oil prices
have continued to move within the US$40 - 45 per barrel range. As at November
21, 2020, the prices per barrel were as follows: OPEC basket: US$ 43.12; Bonny
Light: US$ 44.56; UK Brent: US$ 44.96; and West Texas Intermediate (WTI): US$
42.42. These prices are very much below the pre-pandemic levels of between
US$65 and US$70 per barrel that prevailed in early 2020. The futures oil market
projections are not better as they are expected to remain in the US$ 40.00 - US$45.00 range. This is not good news for Nigeria which has in 2020 recorded
oil production and export that are below the 2020 budget projections.
Continuing weak oil market compounds the challenges in Nigeria's fiscal
operations and is not helpful to the country's external sector and macroeconomic
stability objectives.
One thing that stands out in the global developments
is the response of national governments, especially in the advanced countries,
to the coronavirus-induced economic crisis. Because of strong concerns for
economic recovery, growth and employment, national governments have continued
to deploy fiscal and monetary tools to inject stimulus needed to reflate the
economies. Expansionary fiscal policy through stimulus packages has been used
to ease the impact of the coronavirus-induced economic and health crises. This
though has resulted in increased fiscal deficits and public debt. Accommodative
monetary policy has also continued to be pursued. In this direction, direct
liquidity injection into the economies is being resorted to by central banks as
most advanced economy central banks have exhausted their monetary policy
headroom with the policy rates straddling the zero-lower bound, for example,
US: 0.00 - 0.25%; Japan: - 0.10%: Euro Area: 0.00%; UK: 0.10%. Thus, in line
with the accommodative monetary policy stances, most central banks maintained
their low policy rates or reduced them where feasible. The Nigerian economy is
in a similar position that requires fiscal and monetary measures to quicken
economic recovery.
Lingering Domestic Issues
Until the corona virus struck the country in the first
quarter of 2020, the Nigerian economy's growth was not outstanding but the
growth rates were positive. The successive increases in quarterly growth rates
in 2019 were encouraging: from 2.1 percent in Q1 to 2.12 percent in Q2, 2.28
percent in Q3 and 2.55 percent in Q4 giving an average of 2.27 percent for the
year. Oil prices were also encouraging along with other macroeconomic
indicators. This pattern was disturbed by the coronavirus pandemic which has worsened
macroeconomic indicators and public finances. The country has been faced with
the challenges of stagflation (recession and rising inflation), exchange rate
depreciation, dwindling government revenue/rising public expenditure, growing
fiscal deficits and public debts, capital flows reversals, growing incidences
of rising unemployment and poverty, among others. Both the fiscal and monetary
authorities promptly deployed their respective tools to address the fall-outs
of the coronavirus-induced economic lockdown.
Output growth
Understandably, the Nigerian economy, like most other
economies experienced contraction in Q2. But the Nigerian economy experienced
rather milder contraction, perhaps, because of the proactive fiscal and
monetary stimulus packages implemented by the government. Against the backdrop
of gradual easing of the lockdown and implementation of various interventions,
the Q3 growth figures are encouraging. Although the Q3 growth figure of -3.62
percent put the economy into a recession, it was far lower than the -6.1per
cent growth rate in Q2 suggesting improvement in growth. And there are signs
that the recession could be short-lived:
For the country to exit recession quickly:
Rising Inflation
This is a serious challenge in a period of output
contraction, thus compounding the problem of policy response to recession. For
the tenth consecutive month, inflationary pressure has persisted. The inflation
rate (headline) climbed to a thirty-month high of 14.23 percent in October 2020
(13.22% in September), with the other measures of inflation were also trending
upwards: food inflation, 17.38 percent (16.0% in September); core inflation,
11.14 percent (10.52% in September). The drivers of the inflationary pressure
seem to be largely nonmonetary, arising from disruptions in the supply chain
and supply bottlenecks, insecurity and banditry in the food producing areas,
ravaging flood in food producing areas of the North, border closure, increasing
energy costs which increase transport costs, legacy infrastructure deficits,
etc. Although the fiscal and monetary injections have tended to increase
liquidity in the economy, it is not clear the extent to which this is
translated to consumer prices, especially under conditions of continued weak
aggregate demand. Therefore, in addressing the inflationary spiral, it is
important for government to focus on resolving the non-monetary issues, while
the Central Bank will continue to do the needful to ensure an optimal level of
money supply that will drive growth. It should also continue with
implementation of the development finance interventions aimed at tackling
inflation from the supply side of the economy.
Financial Sector Performance
The financial sector has continued to demonstrate soundness
and resilience even under a debilitating covid-19 environment. The performance
confirms the robustness and efficacy of the monetary policy measures. The
financial soundness indicators reflect good performance: Capital Adequacy Ratio
at 15.5%; Reduced Non-Performing Loans Ratio at 5.72% even though a little
higher than the prudential benchmark; and Liquidity Ratio of 35.6% very much
above the benchmark. The total assets, deposits and credit of the banking
industry have also grown remarkably. For example, because of the Loans to
Deposit Ratio policy of the CBN and other related measures such as the Global
Standing Instruction, the total gross credit to the economy by the deposit
money banks increased by N3,976.34 billion from N15,567.66 billion at end May,
2019 to N19,544.00 billion as at November 13, 2020. Credit growth was largely
recorded in Manufacturing, Consumer credit, General Commerce, Information and
Communication, Construction and Agriculture.
However, although the CBN's measures influenced
interest rates downwards, lending rates are still high and there is
unacceptable disparity between lending and deposit rates. The spread between
the two rates is wide standing at 26.47 percentage points in November. Such a
wide spread discourages savings and unnecessarily favours the Deposit Money
Banks (DMBs). After some months of implementation, there is need for the Bank
to review two extant policies relating to savings/deposit interest rates and
corporate savings/deposits. They have been described as promoting financial
repression.
No doubt, the CBN has good intentions but the policy
is having unintended adverse effects that are larger than the benefits to the
banks. And so, allow corporate savings deposits for MSMEs but direct the DMBs
to charge stamp duties on such accounts, if it was not done before. Also, large
enterprises that have huge amounts of surplus funds can be barred from
operating corporate savings accounts. They have more negotiating power and
easier access to other savings instruments than the vulnerable MSMEs.
Opinion
Against the backdrop of the foregoing real sector
developments in Nigeria, the need for measures to quicken economic recovery and
exit recession is not in doubt and, indeed, a priority. But the fact of rising
inflation due largely to nonmonetary factors remains a major challenge.
Therefore, tightening or loosening monetary policy is not an option in the
present circumstance. Loosening will compound the inflationary pressure, while
tightening will hurt the desired economic recovery. The downward adjustment of
the MPR last September will need time for the expected effects to manifest
while the CBN's development interventions continue to influence aggregate
supply and hence the price level.
Therefore, my vote is to hold all the parameters
constant:
MPR: 11.5%
CRR: 27.5%
Liquidity Ratio: 30.0%
Asymmetric Corridor: +100/-700 basis points
7. OBIORA, KINGSLEY ISITUA
In light of the dual macroeconomic
challenges of a declining growth and rising inflation, and given the monetary
policy actions that we have already taken, I voted to: retain the MPR at 11.5
percent, the CRR at 27.5 percent, the LR at 30 percent and the Asymmetric
Corridor of +100/-700 basis points around the MPR. I believe that this stance
will best support our ongoing efforts to reboot the economy, protect
livelihoods and secure financial stability.
Despite promising vaccine announcements, the Novel
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) has intensified its spread across the world. The
earlier-thanexpected successful vaccine trial results are highly encouraging
and suggest that a complete global economic recovery is on the horizon.
However, the immediate path of the COVID-19 virus and contagion remains
concerning. Since the last MPC meeting in September, global cases have almost
doubled from 30 million to 58 million, with deaths rising from 950,000 to 1.4
million. After the initial success in flattening the curve, several major
economies have seen a recent surge in infections. In response, some
governments, such as France, Germany and the United Kingdom, have decided to
re-impose national lockdowns. I am also concerned that while the news on
vaccines is spectacular, plans for actual vaccinations appear to be fragmentary
with enormous challenges that are yet to be fully calibrated.
These headwinds may partially set back the economic
recovery that began in the third quarter of 2020. The economies of the United
States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany expanded by 33.1, 15.5, 18.2 and
8.5 percent, respectively, offsetting significant contractions in the second
quarter. J.P. Morgan's Global Manufacturing Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI)
rose further to 53.0 points in October 2020, indicating the fastest growth in
global manufacturing output in over two-and-a-half years. Accordingly, the
IMF's World Economic Outlook in October revised upwards its projections for
global output to a contraction of -4.4 percent in 2020, compared to -4.9
percent previously, and a rebound of 5.2 percent in 2021. Despite these
positive developments, however, the recent rise in cases and the consequent
increase in restrictions suggest a challenging outlook for the immediate
future. To quote German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, it is likely to be a "long,
difficult" winter, albeit perhaps not as grave as the second quarter of this
year.
Domestically, the Nigerian economy has slipped into a
recession, although the pace of contraction has slowed. According to the
National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), following a decline of -6.10 percent in
the second quarter, the Nigerian economy contracted by -3.62 percent in the
third quarter. Whilst this brought the economy into a recession, the
contraction was less severe and better than previously expected. Several key
sectors experienced positive growth, for example Information & Communication,
Financial & Insurance, Construction and Agriculture, grew by 14.56, 3.21,
2.84 and 1.39 percent, respectively. Even though the overall decline is
concerning, with only 17 out of 46 activity sectors experienced growth, there
are some tentative signs of recovery. The Manufacturing PMI moved into
expansion territory at 50.2 index points in November 2020, building from 49.4
index points in October. The NonManufacturing PMI, although remaining below
50.0, has risen to 47.6 index points in November 2020 from 46.8 index points in
October. The latest round of the NBS National Longitudinal Phone Survey (NLPS)
suggests that the proportion of people who are working has stabilized at 85
percent, close to pre-COVID levels. The proactive policy measures taken by the
Federal and State Governments, as well as by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),
have cushioned the full economic impact of the pandemic and are beginning to
support recovery. Accordingly, the IMF has revised upwards its forecasts for
Nigeria, projecting a -4.3 percent contraction in 2020, compared to -5.4
percent previously
The banking system remains resilient amidst these
fragile macroeconomic conditions. Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) decreased to 5.72
percent in October 2020 compared to 6.60 percent in the corresponding period of
2019, reflecting recoveries, write-offs and disposals. Furthermore, the CBN has
put in place strategies to bring this ratio below the 5 percent benchmark,
including the Global Standing Instruction (GSI) policy and forbearance that allows
banks to restructure credits impacted by COVID-19. As at 13 November, 2020,
total gross credit stood at N19.54 trillion, reflecting an increase from N19.46
trillion at the last MPC meeting in September and from N15.57 trillion in May
2019. Notably, lending interest rates have also declined. In October 2020,
86.23 percent of loans issued by Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) were at rates below
20 percent, compared to 76.43 percent in July 2019. The weighted average Open
Buy Back (OBB) rate declined to 1.88 percent in October 2020 from 3.50 percent
in September 2020, due to existing liquidity levels in the system.
Nonetheless, our policy decisions continue to be
constrained by multiple macroeconomic challenges. Inflationary pressures
persist, as headline inflation increased to 14.23 percent from 13.71 percent in
September 2020 and is at its highest level since March 2018. The increase was
driven largely by the food component, which rose to 17.38 percent in October
from 16.66 percent in September 2020. This appears to be caused by insecurity
in agricultural producing areas of the country, coupled with increases in the
pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and in electricity tariffs. It is
anticipated, however, that this recent uptick should begin to retract, with the
commencement of the harvest season and the various interventions of the CBN to
boost food supply. In anticipation of this need, the CBN recently launched the
Private Sector-Led Accelerated Agriculture Development Scheme (P-AADS), which
will provide loans of up to N2 billion per obligor and will engage 370,000
youths in agricultural production. This will also complement other efforts to
address Nigeria's severe level of youth unemployment, such as the N75 billion
Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (N-YIF).
Overall, the global and domestic outlook remains
uncertain. The risks associated with COVID-19 have not waned in the short-term,
even though vaccine prospects indicate some promise for 2021. It must also be
noted that full restoration of the global economy will not be achieved until
vaccines are distributed to all in order to enable a somewhat normal return to
full activities. As such, it is not vaccines that truly matter, but rather
vaccinations. While vaccines are a necessary condition to this outcome,
vaccinations are the sufficient condition. We must therefore make comprehensive
and adequate preparations for vaccine acquisition and distribution in Nigeria,
to build on our existing policies to support economic recovery. The CBN has
collaborated extensively with the Federal and State Governments and the private
sector on significant interventions targeted at increasing aggregate demand,
boosting domestic agricultural production, driving lending to MSMEs and
investing in critical infrastructure. These are beginning to bear fruit,
alongside this year's cumulative 200 basis point reduction in the Monetary Policy
Rate.
We must cogently continue in these efforts to drive
our economy out of recession, whilst also prudently ensuring that inflationary
pressures are contained. On this basis, I voted to:
Retain the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 11.5 percent;
Retain the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) at 27.5
percent;
Retain the Liquidity Ratio (LR) at 30.0 percent; and
Retain the asymmetric corridor of +100/-700 basis
points around the MPR.
8. SANUSI, ALIYU
RAFINDADI
1.0 Decision:
The last MPC meeting for the year 2020 held in the
wake of the continued upward trending inflation and the official confirmation
of the well-anticipated technical recession following the release of GDP
figures for the third quarter of 2020. While I believe the optimal policy is
one that accelerates output growth to quicken the recovery, my concern for the
rising inflation and exchange market pressure informed my decision to vote for
a hold on all the parameters at their current levels. I believe on-going
disbursements of the various COVID-19 intervention funds would continue to
provide the requisite liquidity at low-cost to support quicker output recovery
with reduced risk of exacerbating the inflationary and exchange market
pressure.
2.0 Background and Justification
2.1 Global Economic Developments
Several developments in the international economy have
significantly improved the prospects for economic recovery. The announcements
of vaccines that are over 90% effective against the COVID-19 virus have
dampened the prospect for another round of economy-wide shut-downs in the
second and the third waves of the pandemic, while the outcome of the US
elections has improved the prospects for oil market recovery in the medium
term.
Review of the recent global economic developments
suggests that, although uncertainties remain, there is a strong basis for some
optimism about global economic growth prospects. Key amongst these encouraging
developments is the announcements of the discovery of COVID-19 vaccines that
are over 90% effective against the virus. On 9th November, 2020, the US
pharmaceutical giant, Pfizer and its German partner, BioNTech, announced the
results of the clinical trials of their mRNA-based vaccine candidate, BNT162b2,
demonstrating over 90% effectiveness against COVID-19. Soon after, the Sputnik
V vaccine, developed at the National Research Centre for Epidemiology and
Microbiology in Moscow, was announced with 92% effectiveness in preventing
COVID-19 symptoms. AstraZeneca, in partnership with the University of Oxford,
has also announced that its vaccine had an average efficacy of between 70 and
90 per cent in preventing COVID-19. Moderna has also reported their discovery
of another highly efficacious vaccine. Given the logistical, planning and other
regulatory issues, it is estimated that vaccinations could be started before
the end of the year 2020. This singular development has raised the hope for the
return of normality within the year 2021, thereby improving the prospects for a
full recovery of economic activities. This is especially so as the world faces
the second and third waves of the pandemic with rising cases of new infections
The prospects for the exit of US president, Donald
Trump, following the outcome of the US elections also has important
implications for the global economic and diplomatic relations. It raises the
possibility of the resolution of the lingering trade war between the US and
China which shaped the global economic plane for the best part of the last four
years. It also has implications for the global oil market, given the potential
for some restrictions in the production of shale oil in the US and the return
of the US to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
Recent developments in the global economy reveal
sluggish output recovery path, albeit slightly faster than earlier expected,
with IMF's upward review of its forecast for 2020 from -4.9% to 4.4%. This is
premised on the development of effective vaccines and stronger output in the
advanced economies as well as the impact of the global fiscal and monetary
stimuli. In 2020Q3, output expanded (q-o-q) in most of the advanced economies.
In the US, output (q-o-q) expanded from -31.7% in Q2 2020 to 33.1% in 2020Q3.
In the Euro area, the UK and Japan, output also expanded by -12.1%, -20.4% and
-8.2% in Q2 2020, to 12.7%, 15.5% and 5.0%, respectively, in 2020Q3. Output
has, however, contracted (q-o-q) in most of the Emerging Markets and Developing
Economies (EMDEs), except in China that recorded a (slower, but) positive
growth of 2.7% in 2020Q3. Brazil, India, Russia, South Africa and Nigeria have
all recorded another contraction (q-o-q) in 2020Q3, and have been in recession
for the third quarter, except for Nigeria which has just slid into recession.
Also, data shows that the output contractions recorded in these selected EMDEs
in 2020Q3 are significantly deeper than those of previous quarters, except in
Nigeria where the contraction in 2020Q3 (-5%, q-o-q) was much shallower than
that of the 2020Q2 (-14.3%, q-o-q). The year-on-year output contraction moderated
from -6.1% in 2020Q2 to -3.62% in 2020Q3. Therefore, although Nigeria has slid
into a technical recession following the negative output growth in the third
quarter of 2020, there are indications that output may already be on a recovery
path.
In the Advanced Economies, inflation rates continue to
trend below their prepandemic levels and are projected to slow to 0.5% in 2020
from 1.3% in 2019 due to weakening aggregate demand. In the Euro Area,
inflation in both September and October 2020 was -0.2%, indicating a deflation.
In the US, inflation has decreased (year-on-year) from 1.4% in September 2020
to 1.2% in October 2020. In the UK, inflation inched up from 0.5% in September
2020 to 0.7% in October 2020 due to rebound in food and transport prices. In Japan,
inflation rate declined to -0.4% in October from 0% in September 2020, a
deflationary situation like the Euro Area. In the EMDEs, however, price
developments remained mixed, with a rising trend in Kenya, Egypt, and Nigeria,
but a declining trend in China and Ghana. IMF forecasts suggest that inflation
in EMDEs will slightly decline to 5.0% in 2020 compared with 5.1% in 2019.
2.2 Domestic Economic Developments and
their Implications
Output data from the NBS confirmed that the Nigerian
economy has slipped into recession following a second consecutive negative
growth in the third quarter of 2020. Real output had declined (y-o-y) by -3.62%
in 2020Q3 compared with the decline of -6.1% in 2020Q2. Although negative, the
relatively smaller contraction relative to that of the previous quarter
indicates that recovery may have started, and the recession may not be
long-lasting. It also reflects the positive effects of the various heterodox
monetary interventions and credit policies in response to the COVID-19
pandemic. The data shows that both oil and non-oil output had contracted,
reflecting the lag effects of the movement restrictions and economic
activities. Oil GDP, which contributed 8.73% of the GDP, contracted by -13.89%
during the third quarter of 2020, compared with -6.63% in 2020Q2. The
contraction was due to the decline in oil price and oil production during the
period. The non-oil GDP, which contributed 91.27% of the total GDP, contracted
by -2.51% in 2020Q3 compared with -6.05% in 2020Q2. The CBN's monthly
Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) has continued to trend upwards since June 2020.
The Manufacturing PMI, which stood at 48.5 index points in August 2020, has
crossed the 50-point neutral mark to 50.2 index points in November 2020,
thereby suggesting an expansion in manufacturing activities. The
non-manufacturing PMI has also improved from 44.3 in August 2020 to 47.6 index
points in November 2020. These improvements reflect the gradual recovery of the
domestic economy as a result of increased business activities supported by the
various monetary and fiscal interventions.
Crude oil production and export have increased
marginally by 1.98% (mo-m) to 1.54 mbpd at the end of October 2020 compared to
1.51 mbpd in September 2020 following increased investment in production
activities. The production level continues to be well below the budget
benchmark of 1.94 mbpd. Notwithstanding the average oil price being above the
revised fiscal benchmark of US$ 28pb (projected to stay between $40/b and
$42/b), lower production benchmarked is likely to adversely affect fiscal
performance and external reserves accretion.
Available data from the NBS shows that headline
inflation has continued on the upward trend that started in September 2019
following the closure of land borders. In October 2020, headline inflation rose
to 14.23% (y-o-y) from 13.71 in September 2020, driven by increases in both
food inflation and core inflation. Food price inflation (y-o-y) rose to 17.38%
in October 2020, from 16.66% in September 2020, driven by an increase in the
prices of processed food and farm produce. Core inflation (y-o-y) rose from
10.58% in September 2020, to 11.14% in October 2020, due to increase in the
prices of processed food, housing, water, gas & other fuels, health,
transport, education and restaurants & hotels. Staff forecasts suggest that
inflation would continue on the upward trend through 2020, largely reflecting
the rising cost of food due to disruptions in the supply chain; the continued
closure of the land borders; rising spates of insecurity in the food-producing
areas; hikes in the price of PMS; hike in electricity tariff; exchange rate
adjustment as well as the liquidity impacts of the various fiscal and monetary
interventions aimed at reflating the economy.
Domestic money supply has continued to expand, as
expected, owing to the liquidity injections needed to revamp the economy. The
broadest money supply, M3, increased by 3.53% in October 2020 relative to
December 2019. Annualized at 4.23%, this growth rate is below the provisional
benchmark of 6.84% for 2020. Reserve Money also increased (by 69.86%) in
October 2020 relative to December 2019 and was 4.79 % above its provisional
benchmark for Q4 2020.
The Banking System Stability report reveals that the
banking industry continues to be resilient in the face of the COVID-19
pandemic. The NPLs continued its downward trend, declining to 5.72% at
end-October 2020 from 6.56% at end-October 2019. Total credit to the economy
increased by N3.976.34 trillion, due to the CBN's LDR policy, which encourages
banks to lend. The largest recipient of the new credit remains the
manufacturing sector, consumer credit, general commerce, ICT, construction and
agriculture. The report also shows that more bank customers are getting loans
at lower interest rates. For instance, as of October 2020, 86% of the total
loan portfolio were granted at less than 20% interest rate compared with 76% in
June 2019.
3.0 The Basis for My Policy Choice
Although there is a significant threat to inflation,
which is forecasted to rise in the medium term, tightening the policy stance
amidst recession will not only delay the recovery but may also exacerbate the
inflationary pressure by further depressing aggregate supply. Although
loosening may help improve aggregate supply, the rising inflation and negative
real yields have reduced the headroom for a further rate cut at the moment. It
could further intensify the exchange rate pressure and adversely affect capital
flows. I believe that on-going disbursements of the various COVID-19
intervention funds by the Bank would continue to provide the requisite
liquidity at low-cost to support quicker output recovery with reduced risk of
exacerbating the inflationary and exchange market pressure. I, therefore, voted
for a hold on all the parameters, for now, to allow for the effects of these
interventions to work themselves out.
Consequently, I voted to:
Retain the MPR at 11.50 per cent;
Retain the CRR at 27.5 per cent;
Retain the Asymmetric Corridor at +100/-700 basis
points; and
Retain Liquidity Ratio at 30.0 per cent.
9. SHONUBI, FOLASHODUN A.
As nations struggle to overcome the pandemic and the
ensuing socioeconomic impact, the world is set to witness the end of 2020, with
a recession that is projected to be second, in severity, only to the great
depression of 1930s. The global economy remained constrained by subdued
economic activities, muted trade, depressed commodity markets, cautious
financial conditions and swelling debt profile, amidst the second wave of a
pandemic that is ravaging most developed economies. Notwithstanding the
far-reaching implications of this situation for the Nigerian economy, dogged
actions by the monetary and fiscal authorities have significantly moderated the
negative impact on lives and livelihood of the populace. Importantly, as the
result of recent actions continue to manifest, the scope for policy options to
support sustainable growth of the domestic economy has indeed become clearer
and enhanced. We must remain focused on helping households, businesses and
communities to cope, adjust and recover.
Global and Domestic Economic
Developments
Signs of improvement in global economic recovery
during the third quarter of 2020 was buoyed by enhanced vaccine prospects and
slight recovery in intraregional trade. Predicated on the expectation that the
development would support risk sentiments going forward, the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) revised its projected contraction of global growth to -4.4
per cent in 2020, against its earlier -4.9 per cent. Downward risk to global
growth, however, persisted with slowdown in US fiscal stimulus and spread of a
second wave of the pandemic, leading to rapid re-introduction of lockdown measures
in several developed economies. Inflation remained muted in the advanced
economies, while exchange rate pressures and structural bottlenecks have
precipitated high inflation in emerging and developing economies.
On the domestic scene, recently released data by the
National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicated that the Nigerian economy
contracted by -3.62 per cent in the third quarter of 2020, lower than the -6.10
per cent in the second quarter of 2020. This reflected the significant decline
of 13.89 per cent in the oil sector and much lower than expected contraction of
-2.51 per cent in the nonoil sector. Though second consecutive quarter of
contraction effectively pushed the economy into recession, a glimpse of hope
exists in the future trajectory of growth as indicated by the trend of
activities in most of the sub-sectors. Also important is the improvement in
manufacturing and non-manufacturing Purchasing Manger's indices which, rose to
50.2 and 47.6 index points, respectively, in November 2020.
Stability of the banking system has been sustained
throughout the year. Industry capital adequacy and liquidity ratios were 15.5
and 35.6 per cent in October 2020, compared with the respective prudential
thresholds of 15.0 and 30.0 per cent. Non-performing loans ratio improved
further to 5.72 per cent, though slightly higher than the regulatory limit of
5.0 per cent. The trend generally indicated a preservation of the sound health
of the banking industry, and underscored efficacy of regulatory/supervisory measures.
Inflationary pressure persisted as the major consumer
price indices rose further in October 2020. Headline inflation rose to 14.23
per cent at end-October 2020, from 13.71 per cent in the previous month. This
reflected further increase in food and core inflation to 17.38 and 11.14 per
cent, respectively, attributed mainly to the lingering disruptive effects of
the pandemic on supply chain, impact of increase in energy price on
transportation/logistic cost on food prices and exchange rate passthrough to prices.
Developments in the money and financial markets were
mixed. Increase in aggregate domestic credit, aided by the LDR policy and CBN
intervention credit, pushed growth in broad money supply further to 3.53 per
cent in October 2020, compared with 3.20 per cent in the previous month. Ample
liquidity in the banking system have, however, depressed the money market
rates, with OpenBuy-Back rate falling to 1.88 per cent, while the inter-bank
segment was generally dry. Low yield in the money market and enhanced
investors' confidence have led to the bullish rally in the capital market, as
the all-share index and equity market capitalization rose to 34,136.82 and
N17.85 trillion, respectively, as at November 20, 2020.
Though the Bank has sustained its effort at
effectively managing activities and vulnerabilities in the external sector,
slow accretion to external reserves, mainly, as a result of reduced low oil
prices, and dwindling capital inflows continued to cause pressure in the
sector. In the fiscal sector, slump in oil price and global demand constitutes
severe fiscal burden for the Government. Consequently, persisting revenue
shortfall, rising fiscal deficits and increasing debt profile have
significantly limited the scope and depth of operations of the Government.
Overall Considerations and Decision
Outlook for global economic recovery, on account of
promising developments around the discovery of vaccines has been dampened by
the likely impact of widespread lockdown in major developed economies, due to a
second wave of the pandemic. The global economy is therefore weighed down by
low productivity, muted trade, bloated debt profile and delicate financial
conditions. Persisting low inflation in most advanced economies and cost push
inflation in many emerging and developing economies have also constituted a
clog on the wheel of the global economy. With low prospect of global growth
rebounding quickly, we must sustain our rethinking of the Nigeria economic
policy direction vis-Ã -vis the global economy and intensify our focus on
rebuilding the domestic economy such that it relies more on its inner strength
and is self-sustaining.
Clearly, the issues we must address are diverse. While
we seem to have gotten it right with low and stable interest rate to drive increased
and cheaper credit to the real sector, high inflation, economic recession and
pressured exchange rate remain critical to improving the fortunes of the
populace. The situation therefore raises pertinent questions about the efficacy
of our policy measures.
Recent data on domestic output indicated
better-than-projected contraction on account of stronger quarter-on-quarter
improvement in more sectors, compared with previous quarter. This is a signpost
of encouraging trend in output growth. The uptick in inflation is as a result
of many factors, foremost of which is the lingering disruption of supply chain
by the pandemic-induced lockdown/restrictions and effect of higher energy price
on transportation/logistic cost, thereby fueling cost push inflation.
Accordingly, I believe that by further intensifying our LDR policy and targeted
interventions to ease constraints to output expansion, we would have achieved
the multiple objectives of raising output, bringing down production cost
through economies of scale, improving employment and eventually moderating
inflation.
It is heartwarming that despite operating in an
environment of faded growth, stunted yield and elevated risk, the stability of
the domestic banking system was pleasantly preserved in 2020. The Bank’s
innovative regulatory interventions have ensured that imminent risks are
avoided or mitigated. I am optimistic that to build more confidence on the
potency of our approach, we must sustain our regulatory ingenuity to ensure
that trend of improved financial intermediation, at moderated cost and overall
relative stability is not short-lived. As I mentioned in one of my previous
statements, rebound in the capital market is a good omen that is expected to
encourage asset reallocation towards the equity segment to support the real
sector, thereby providing greater scope for policy maneuver.
To consolidate on the progress made so far, the fiscal
authority Is encouraged not to relent on the giant strides already achieved.
Government is advised to swiftly invoke components of Economic Sustainability
Plan that support households and small businesses, and impact on youth
employment, to sustain the gains of ongoing intervention measures like the
Nigeria Youth Investment Fund, SME support facility, etc. I recommend urgent
and aggressive implementation of initiatives that focuses on public works and
Public Private Partnership.
I am delighted with the outcomes of the current
measures so far. The pattern and strength of growth in the third quarter
provides a glimpse of hope and basis for cautious optimism. We just must
continue to improve the operating environment to sustain the positive trend. In
this regard, I want to encourage that we leverage the collaboration with
Banker's Committee on effort to improve infrastructure as a way of enhancing
the quality of output for export. Tangential to this, and to improve conditions
in the external sector, is the need to examine deeper, foreign exchange market
activities with a view to discouraging identified entities from practices that
fuel supply/demand in the parallel market. This will go a long way to reduce
vibrancy and curb pressure in that segment of the market.
I believe strongly that we are on the right track.
Though the road to recovery remain steep and uncertain. As we strive to steer
the economy in the right direction, I must advise that the impact of the
digital revolution witnessed during this crisis should not be lost. We must
factor the lessons and gains into our strategic plans to encourage skill and
knowledge building, enhance innovation, facilitate expansion of economic
activities, growth and revenue, for a resilient future. As we strategize on
what more to do, we must sustain and intensify ongoing interventions designed
to stimulate consumption, further de-risk the operating environment and
encourage investment to promote productivity
I therefore vote to retain the:
10.EMEFIELE, GODWIN I.
Governor of The Central Bank of Nigeria And Chairman,
Monetary Policy Committee
At the back of a challenging first half of the year,
global economic output showed improvements in the second half of 2020. This
comes as the world learns to live with COVID-19 and as containment measures
were eased, allowing businesses to reopen. Uncertain global outlook seems to be
dissipating as various national governments adopt expansionary policy measures
to boost domestic confidence and fast-track recovery. Given the renewed
outbreak in many countries, the pace of recovery will depend on how quickly business
and consumer confidence are restored. Although 2020q3 GDP outturn could
outperform 2020q2, most advanced and emerging market economies, except for
China, will record recession in 2020. In the short-term, the newly announced
COVID-19 vaccine could restore economic confidence and quicken global recovery.
For 2021, though a fragile recovery is expected in many countries, output may
be below projected pre-pandemic levels.
Domestic economic conditions and short-term outlook
improved noticeably in 2020q3 as lockdowns were increasingly eased and
activities progressively normalise. This followed the prompt and extensive
reaction of policymakers to cushion the adverse effects of the pandemic,
restart the economy, and accelerate recovery. Though current macroeconomic
conditions remain fragile, steeper rebound could begin by 2020q4. From -6.1
percent in 2020q2, output contraction improved to -3.6 percent in 2020q3. This
trajectory was significantly better-than-envisaged and suggests the likelihood
of a positive outcome by 2020q4. It derived from improved performance of the
non-oil sector which eased from a contraction of -6.1 percent to -2.5 percent
as against the worsening pace of oil GDP from -6.6 percent to -13.9 percent in
the same period. The non-oil sector remains the bedrock of the domestic
economy.
Hence, the various efforts at stimulating and
bolstering productivity in the nonoil sector must be reinforced. With
prevailing disruptions in the international oil market, the need to rebalance
our economy and strengthen its structural base remains sacrosanct. A complete
and quickened diversification from oil is needed to insulate the economy and
reduce our vulnerability to undue external shocks.
After fourteen consecutive months of uptick,
year-on-year headline inflation, at 14.2 percent in October 2020 vis-Ã -vis 13.7
percent in September showed persistent pressures. This reflected the 72 basis
points increase in food inflation to 17.4 percent and 56 basis points rise in
core inflation to 11.1 percent. Disruptions to supply network (either due to
COVID-19 or insecurity) and the concomitant food shortages significantly
elevated headline inflationary pressure and may persist if not corrected.
Nonetheless, the envisaged increase in the volume of domestic supply, following
CBN interventions to boost production and speedup recovery, may asymptotically
lower inflation inertia by mid-2021.
Again, the current stagflation poses a dilemma for
policy making and continues to highlight the importance of a strengthened productive
base. It underscores the need for fast-tracked diversification and sustained
support of the real sector through growth enhancing policies. I note the CBN's
development finance initiatives to minimise the adverse impact of the COVID-19
Pandemic, resolve underlying structural deficiencies, and speed-up recovery.
The liquidity support covers various economic activities and aims to narrow
supply shortages within the economy and boost consumer spending. I remain
confident that an effective correction of the supply shortages (especially in
farm produce) will have the dual effects of boosting output and moderating
inflation.
Domestic financial market conditions were diverse,
with a bullish stock market, liquid money market, and persisting exchange market
pressure. Analysis of 62 Classified as Confidential liquidity conditions
indicates expansion in monetary aggregates in October 2020 as broad money
supply recorded an annualised growth of 4.2 percent. This follows the 9.1
percent annualised growth in aggregate domestic credits, highlighting the
efficacy of our interventions and LDR policy. Since May 2019, gross banking
system credit grew by nearly N4 trillion to N19.5 trillion at mid-November
2020. Yet, the Nigerian banking system remained largely sound as key FSI
including NPLs and CAR showed continued improvements. Amidst exchange market
pressure, external reserves stayed above US$35 billion though uncertainty could
undermine expectations of future output and price trajectories.
In my consideration, I stress the need for policy that
impact positively on the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians. I note that we
have entered a second recession in 4 years, due largely to our vulnerability to
external shocks. As the biggest economy in Africa, we need to reverse this
trend, diversify away from oil and insulate our economy from undue shocks. I
emphasise the need for policymaking that will bolster the productivity of
non-oil sector and boost local production especially in the agriculture and
industry sectors. At this critical time, I note again the need to resolve
structural constraints, sustain real sector support, stimulate aggregate supply
and enhance job creation.
I note again the dilemma of stagflation as inflation
ascends and output contracts. The undesired policy trade-off from this requires
delicate balancing. While the primacy of price stability is acknowledged, I
note that ignoring the need for output stabilisation at this critical time
could have severe long-term consequences for the economy. Though inflation
expectations are elevated, growth outlook is fragile. It is imperative and
urgent to restart the economy now rather than later. I am inclined towards
measures to boost domestic supply capacity and bolster production as this will
not only foster a quick and strong recovery but will also lower the long-run
path of inflation.
I note the need, in this regard, for the CBN to
sustain and strengthen its development finance interventions in agriculture,
manufacturing, MSMEs, etc, to bolster local capacity and domestic production,
enhance job creation, and reduce poverty. I note the need for well-balanced
policy decision. Tightening, at this time, to curb inflation will worsen
recession, while loosening will exacerbate inflationary pressure. The recent
easing of monetary stance, the LDR policy and the various interventions of the
Bank are providing adequate liquidity impetus for the real sector. I am of the
view that the impact of these actions should be allowed to completely unfold as
the needed impetus to rectify the supply shortage is sufficiently in place.
Alterations of policy parameters today, could in my view introduce undue
impulses and cause indeterminate equilibrium. My inclination is, thus, to hold
all parameters. I believe the current stance is adequate to attain the long-run
objectives of price stability and output stabilisation without complicating
recovery. Accordingly, I vote to:
1. Retain the MPR at 11.5 percent;
2. Retain the Asymmetric Corridor at +100/-700 basis
points;
3. Retain the CRR at 27.5 percent; and
4. Retain liquidity ratio at 30.0 percent.
Godwin I. Emefiele, CON
Governor
November 2020
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