Business
World Bank Finally Approves $1.5billion Loan To Strengthen Nigeria’s Economy
The World Bank has finally approved Nigeria’s request for a $1.5 billion loan.
This was announced in a statement by World Bank on Tuesday noting that the facility is a five-year Country Partnership Framework (CPF) that will last from 2021 to 2024.
“This Country Partnership Framework will guide our engagement for the next 5 years in supporting the Government of Nigeria’s strategic priorities by taking a phased and adaptive approach,” World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri said.
World Bank Board of Directors approved the $1.5 billion for two projects, which include: Nigeria Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus – Program for Results (Nigeria CARES) and the State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability Program for Results (SFTAS).
The CPF will focus on four areas of engagement which include investing in human capital by increasing access to basic education, quality water, and sanitation services; improving primary healthcare; and increasing the coverage and effectiveness of social assistance programs.
Promoting jobs and economic transformation and diversification by supporting measures to unlock private investment and job creation and increasing access to reliable and sustainable power for households and firms.
The CPF will also focus on boosting digital infrastructure, and developing economic corridors and smart cities, to provide Nigerians with improved livelihoods.
Strengthening the foundations of the public sector by improving public financial management and strengthening the social contract between citizens and government through improved fiscal and debt management.
World Bank in the statement added that Nigeria is at a critical juncture, hence the approval of the loan.
“With the sharp fall in oil prices as a result of COVID-19, the economy is projected to contract by over 4% in 2020, plunging the country into its deepest recession since the 1980s. Government revenues could fall by more than 15 billion dollars this year, and the crisis will push an additional 5million Nigerians into poverty in 2020,” the statement read in part.
The World Bank noted that the facility was prepared jointly with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA).
This CPF proposes a collaborative approach of how resources across the entire Bank Group can best support the Government’s effort to achieve its goal to lift 100 million citizens out of poverty.
“The Country Partnership Framework leverages the World Bank Group to enable business growth that is inclusive and sustainable,” IFC Director for Southern Africa and Nigeria, Kevin Njiraini also said.
Business
NEXIM Bank Secures Bbb+ Rating from Agusto & Co., Declares ₦30.47 Billion Operating Profit
By Joel Ajayi
The Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) has been assigned a Bbb+ rating by leading credit rating agency Agusto & Co. Limited, affirming its satisfactory financial condition and strong capacity to meet obligations relative to other development finance institutions (DFIs) in Nigeria.
For the year ended 2024, NEXIM Bank reported an operating profit of ₦30.47 billion, more than double the ₦13.75 billion recorded in the previous year. This remarkable growth underscores the Bank’s financial resilience and operational efficiency.
Established to promote Nigeria’s non-oil exports and support import-substituting businesses, NEXIM is fully owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria through equal shareholding by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI).
The Bank has sustained strong liquidity and capital adequacy ratios, alongside notable growth in its loan book and equity investments. Key sectors supported include manufacturing, agriculture, solid minerals, and services.
According to Managing Director, Mr. Abba Bello, NEXIM has intensified its intervention in the non-oil export sector, disbursing over ₦495 billion and facilitating the creation and sustenance of more than 36,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Among the Bank’s key initiatives are:The Regional Sealink Project: A public-private partnership designed to improve maritime logistics across West and Central Africa. Promotion of Factoring Services: Offering alternative export financing solutions for SMEs. And Joint Project Preparation Fund (JPPF): Implemented in partnership with Afreximbank to enhance the bankability of export projects.
Additionally, NEXIM is developing tailored financing schemes for the mining sector, including Contract Mining, Equipment Leasing, and Buyers’ Credit/ECA Financing, aimed at unlocking export potential and boosting foreign exchange earnings.
With its renewed drive, NEXIM Bank remains committed to building local processing capacity, advancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in global trade, and strengthening non-oil export revenues by moving up the commodity value chain.
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