The Nigerian naira exhibited a remarkable surge against the US dollar within the peer-to-peer (P2P) market, commencing the trading day at N855/$ on Friday. This sharp rebound starkly contrasts the previous week’s peak of N950/$ in P2P markets, which had sparked concerns about impending scarcity.
The naira’s impressive appreciation, amounting to N95/$ in less than a week, coincided with noticeable convergence between the Investors’ and Exporters’ (I&E) FX window and the black market, diminishing the appeal of speculative activities.
This resurgence of Nigeria’s local currency was bolstered by a surge in supply within the foreign exchange market. A significant contributing factor was NNPC Limited’s acquisition of a $3 billion loan from AfreximBank, intended to fortify exchange rate stability.
Acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Folashodun Shonubi, announced forthcoming measures to enhance the money supply, aiming to counter speculative attempts to counter the naira’s persistent devaluation.
During a crucial interaction, Mr. Shonubi briefed President Bola Tinubu about the CBN’s strategies to prevent potential naira depreciation. The CBN aims to deploy innovative tactics to stabilize the naira against the dollar while bolstering liquidity and market stability. The bank is also committed to addressing issues within the parallel market.
Mr. Shonubi emphasized that market fluctuations arise not just from economic factors but also from speculative demand. The CBN identified illicit money transfers and unauthorized dollar sales by commercial banks as key drivers of the naira’s sustained depreciation.
To enhance transparency in Nigeria’s FX market, the CBN introduced the Currency Price Verification System (FX) “PVS.” This portal enables importers to access foreign exchange and improves market visibility. Effective August 31, 2023, the Portal Price Verification Report will be mandatory for all Form M applications, reinforcing regulatory oversight.
The CBN’s recent warning of potential penalties for forex speculators underscores its commitment to maintaining market integrity. Amid these developments, Nigeria’s currency landscape is undergoing significant shifts, as efforts are being made to stabilize the naira and curtail speculative activities.
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