“It is now obvious that what drives the economy is the non-oil sector and that is where we will have to pay a lot of attention”<\/strong><\/p>\n
The Coronation Merchant Bank (CMB) has projected that the federal government\u2019s domestic borrowings would exceed N2.6 trillion in 2022.<\/p>\n
The premier investment bank also estimated that inflation and GDP growth rates would be 13.88% and 2.6% respectively this year.<\/p>\n
The CMB added that the country might experience weak portfolio investment inflows due to negative real interest rates as the headline inflation rate remained in double digits.<\/p>\n
These predictions were contained in its Economic Review and 2022 Outlook titled \u201cBlend of Optimism and Uncertainty.\u201d<\/p>\n
The report was released yesterday during the virtual 4th edition of its Interactive Session Series themed \u201cNigeria\u2019s Economic Landscape \u2013 a Blend of Optimism and Uncertainty.\u201d<\/p>\n
The CMB said: \u201cGiven the current elevated oil price, compared with the oil price benchmark in the 2022 budget, there might be room for the FGN to source funds for fuel subsidy from its windfall\/savings. Overall, we expect the budget deficit this year to be higher than the current projection and that domestic borrowing could exceed N2.6 trillion. This implies upward pressure on FGN bonds and NTB yields.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor 2022, we expect the impact of positive base effects on the headline inflation rate to wither away by the second quarter of the year. Looking ahead, on the back of specific factors which could result in upward pressure on prices, we have imposed visible fluctuations in the m\/m inflation rate using a few assumptions. These include insecurity, modest exchange rate depreciation, hike in electricity prices, electioneering, and the possible N10 per liter excise duty imposed on non-alcoholic carbonated and sweetened beverages. We see average inflation for FY 2022 at 13.88 percent y\/y and at 13.91 percent y\/y at end-December 2022.\u201d<\/p>\n
READ ALSO:\u00a0 <\/strong>\u2018I used to be team Messi\u2019-Nigeria defender chooses between the PSG star and Cristiano Ronaldo<\/a><\/p>\n
CMB also predicts that the expenses allocated to the 2023 elections will drive GDP growth.<\/p>\n