VenturesNow

Dangote Group optimistic about boosting Nigeria’s falling currency with $30 billion revenue

Published

5 months ago

July 16, 2024

The $30 billion in income that Dangote Group plans to generate by the end of 2025, according to company President Aliko Dangote, will strengthen the naira. Dangote made the plan known during a Monday tour of Dangote Fertilizer Limited and Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals.

The plan signals a strategy to become independent from the Central Bank of Nigeria regarding foreign exchange sourcing.

The richest man in Africa stated that the substantial amount of foreign exchange that his companies are expected to bring into Nigeria will naturally increase the value of our local currency and restore the value of the naira in the global exchange market.

When the refinery started operating fully in 2024, its primary focus was on the refinement of intermediate products, including naphtha, polypropylene, RCO, gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.

He clarified that in March 2024, the refinery began its steady-state production phase. Furthermore, he projected that by August, production will escalate to 500,000 barrels per day with 15 crude cargoes each month, reaching 550,000 bpd by the end of the year, and aiming for 650,000 bpd by the first quarter of 2025.

“Petrol production will commence in July with sales from August,” assured Dangote.

Additionally, he disclosed that the group plans to list Dangote Fertilizer Limited and Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals on the Nigerian Exchange Group in the first quarter of 2025.

He continued by saying that Nigerians would be allowed to take a stake in these businesses.

“Due to the nature of our business with both the refinery and the fertiliser, we are aiming to list them by the end of this year. However, depending on circumstances, worst-case scenario, we anticipate listing them before the end of the first quarter of next year. This will allow us to offer shares for sale and enable Nigerians to participate as shareholders,” Dangote stated.

At full capacity, the Dangote Refinery can process 650,000 barrels of oil per day, making it the largest single-train facility in both Africa and the globe.

Additionally, the largest granulated urea fertiliser factory in Africa is run by Dangote Fertiliser Limited. At the moment, the most capitalized firm in Nigeria is Dangote Cement.

He emphasized that the refinery would produce 53 million litres of gasoline and 1.1 million tonnes of diesel per day, although its total storage capacity is 4.5 billion litres, which is enough to meet Nigeria’s crude needs for 20 days and store products equal to 15 days’ worth of fuel.

VenturesNow

Moroccan annual inflation rises to 0.8% in November

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Morocco’s statistics office has confirmed that the country’s annual inflation rate, as determined by the consumer price index, increased from 0.7% in October to 0.8% in November.

Monthly, consumer prices decreased by 0.2% from October.

The primary driver of inflation, food costs, grew by 0.8% compared to the previous year, while non-food inflation climbed by 0.7%. Core inflation, which does not include more erratic items like food, increased 2.6% annually and 0.2% monthly.

According to the central bank, inflation is expected to average 1% this year, down from 6.1% last year.

Despite the Al-Haouz earthquake, a spike in inflation, and worldwide economic challenges, Morocco’s GDP grew by 3.4% in 2023.

A recovery in tourism, robust industrial exports, and rising private consumption—all bolstered by prudent macroeconomic policies—were the main drivers of growth.

VenturesNow

Nigeria’s $42bn foreign reserves enough for 9 months’ imports— Central Bank

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

According to Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the nation’s $42.01 billion in foreign reserves can cover imports of goods and services for almost nine months.

Cardoso promised Nigerians improved economic fortunes in 2025 while addressing the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance, and Other Financial Institutions yesterday in Abuja at the presentation of the performance index report.

Cardoso stated: “External Reserves rose from $ 38.35 billion it was on September 30, 2024, to $ 42.01 billion as of December 12, 2024”.

He clarified that third-party receipts in Q3 2024 and revenues from taxes connected to crude oil were the main drivers of the rise in foreign reserves during the specified time.

“We saw remarkable improvements in our trade balance and maintained a current account surplus,” he added.

“Our external reserves level can finance over 9.09 months of import of goods and services or 13.91 months only, higher than the international benchmark of 3.0 months and a robust buffer against shocks”.

On cash shortage, the CBN boss reiterated the N150 million fine against any branch of banks caught illegally distributing new Naira notes to currency hawkers and unscrupulous elements and said the Nigerian economy will improve in 2025 through policies and measures.

He predicted a stronger economic future: “Despite our economy’s challenges, there are clear reasons for optimism.

“The gradual stabilization of the forex market, ongoing banking sector recapitalization, and positive growth trends in key sectors, especially the services sector, indicate a path toward recovery and stability.”