Naira in trouble as Coronavirus effects Exchange rate

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By CHIJIOKE OHUOCHA

The Central Bank of Nigeria has directed a slight increase in the exchange of the naira to the dollar 380 to 1 dollar. The going rate for about two years has been stable at N360 to $1 but with the attack from the coronavirus which ahs effected most world economies it maybe a sign of naira devaluation on its way by the Central Bank

Traders said no quotes were shown on Friday for the naira on the official market, which has been supported by the central bank for more than two years.

The move comes after the impact of an oil price plunge spread across asset classes in Nigeria, causing investors to widen spreads on the bond market, sell stocks and weaken the country’s dollar reserves.

Last week JP Morgan said it expected Nigeria to devalue its currency by around 10% to 400 naira per dollar by the end of June after a sharp oil price tumble ramped up the pressure on Africa’s biggest economy.

On the over-the-counter spot market for investors few trades were done on Friday on the naira at 380 on thin liquidity, traders said. Nigeria operates a multiple exchange rate regime which it has used to manage pressure on the currency.

The central bank was not available for comment. (Reuters)

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