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Nigeria Borrowed $1.21bn As Investors Shun 28 States

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Nigeria relied on foreign borrowing ($1.21bn) to boost its capital importation in the first six months of 2023.

This is as 28 states failed to attract any foreign investments in the time under review, according to report from the National Bureau of Statistics on Nigeria Capital Importation. In 2023, total capital importation dropped by 30.42 per cent year-on-year in the first half of 2023 to $2.16bn from $3.11bn, from the corresponding period of 2022.

As issues such as insecurity and difficult business environment continue to impact foreign direct investments into Nigeria, the country has become increasingly reliant on foreign loans to boost capital importation.

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Foreign investments in forms of loans grew by 17.43 per cent to $1.21bn in the first half of 2023 from $1.03bn as of the corresponding period of 2022.

READ ALSO: How Nigeria Can Repay Its Debts Within 90 Days – Jimoh Ibrahim

Commenting on the composition of foreign investments into the country, the NBS said, “In Q2 2023, other investments top accounting for 81.28 per cent ($837.34m) of total capital importation in Q2 2023, followed by Portfolio Investment with 10.37 per cent ($106.85m) and Foreign Direct Investment with 8.35 per cent ($86.03m).

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“The production sector recorded the highest inflow with $605.04m, representing 58.73 per cent of total capital imported in Q2 2023, followed by the banking sector, valued at $194.58m (18.89 per cent), and Shares with $68.63m (6.66 per cent).”

Only Lagos, Abuja, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Ekiti, Niger, Ogun, and Ondo attracted foreign investors to the country.

READ ALSO: Woman Sells Daughter to Settle Debt In Ogun

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Recently, the World Bank stated that foreign direct investment into Nigeria has fallen because of limited forex availability, security concerns, and other structural challenges.

A professor of economics at the University of Uyo, Akpan Ekpo recently told The PUNCH that foreign investors is crisis-shy and stated that the insecurity crisis in certain regions of the country had waned investors’ confidence.

Ekpo said, “The states didn’t attract any investments for obvious reasons. With the insecurity, there is no way you will attract foreign investment when your place is not secure. They will not come.”

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Why We Sited Our Multi-Billion Naira Automobile Firm Branch in Benin – Skyewise Group CEO

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Dr. Elvis Abuyere, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Skyewise Group, an automobile firm, has explained the reason for establishing a branch of the company in Benin City, the Edo State capital, describing the ancient city as “a growing economy full of enormous potential for vibrant youth.”

He added that the company considers Edo State one of the most interesting states, noting that the decision aligns with its long-term vision.

Abuyere, who spoke in Benin on Monday while taking journalists on a tour of the new automobile facility, said:
We started very small — from Abuja to Lagos and now Benin. It is a joy and privilege for us to have completed this amazing regional office with Skyewise Group.”

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READ ALSO:BREAKING: Wike Picks Alabo George For Rivers Governorship

According to him, beyond the automobile business, Skyewise Group is in Benin to invest in real estate, logistics, youth empowerment, and credit management. “Aand also to lend our support to what the Edo State Government is doing, knowing the fact that there is an agenda,” he added.

The young CEO urged youths in Nigeria, particularly those in Edo State, to embrace entrepreneurship, stressing that “we believe it is the future of Africa,” especially Nigeria.

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He said Nigeria stands as the giant of Africa and that its youth must take bold steps in the entrepreneurship landscape.

According to Abuyere, to ensure Edo youths actualise their entrepreneurial potential, the company has prepared soft loans to help them start businesses, adding that Skyewise Group is not limited to automobile operations.

READ ALSO:Senatorial Seat: Ogbakha-Edo Warns Against Imposition Of Candidates In Edo South

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He said: “More importantly to us is youth empowerment. We want our youth to be empowered, and this is where the Skyewise Foundation comes in.

“We believe the future of Africa is entrepreneurship, and that future lies in the hands of the young people of Nigeria. We want to empower them to stand the test of time, build something meaningful, and reduce unemployment and insecurity in our land.

“I believe we need to begin taking bold steps by refining the mindset of our young people. We need to give them a sense of belonging and direction.

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“We have been addressing the liquidity gap in society by providing microloans to support businesses in our environment and in Benin City.”

When asked why he chose Benin City for the multi-billion naira automobile firm, Abuyere noted: “I think this is the first automobile showroom in Edo State where you can see a car lifted from the ground floor to the first floor and beyond.”

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JUST IN: Nigerian Filling Stations Reduce Fuel Price After Hike

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Nigerian filling stations reduced their Premium Motor Spirit price on Saturday, barely 24 hours after the hike.

Checks by DAILY POST showed that Ranoil, Empire Energy, and other filling stations in Abuja adjusted their petrol pumps to N1,365 and N1,375 per litre respectively, down from N1,440 per litre on Friday.

This means that petroleum marketers dropped their fuel price by N65 and N75 per litre. DAILY POST reports that the move was to attract patronage from customers.

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READ ALSO:Pipeline Surveillance Contracts Decentralisation May Fuel Chaos In N’Delta, Itsekiri Youths Warn

Recall that three days ago, Nigerian filling stations had raised their petrol pump price to between N1,365 and N1,440 nationwide after Dangote Refinery and depot owners increased ex-depot prices to around N1,275 and N1,290 per litre.

According to DAILY POST, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and MRS Bovas filling stations raised their petrol price to around N1,365 per litre, others adjusted theirs above N1,440 per litre.

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READ ALSO:Drivers Protest Fuel Increase, Raise Fares in Benin

However, with the latest fuel price reduction by Ranoil and Empire Energy, the majority of filling station outlets now dispense petrol between N1,365 and N1,375 per litre.

This development comes as the ripple effect of crude oil prices continues to impact Nigeria’s domestic fuel price.

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Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude rose to $114 and $105 per barrel before dropping to $108 and $101 after the filing of this report.

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Dangote Refinery Hikes Petrol Price

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Dangote Refinery has increased the ex-depot price of petrol by N75.

The refinery announced the increase on Wednesday, hiking the the price from N1,200 to N1,275 per litre.
In the same way, coastal prices have gone up to N1,215 per litre.

READ ALSO:Dangote Sugar Announces South New CEO

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This adjustment amid Brent crude trading at $114.80 per barrel marks a 3.15% increase.

DAILY POST reports that Brent crude has increased to $115 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate rose to $103 per barrel on Wednesday.

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