Nigerian Currency Becomes Worst-Performing After Erasing All Early April Gains

The Nigerian currency, which has been depreciating against the U.S. dollar in the past few weeks, has completely erased its gains from early April, making it the worst-performing currency in the world. The decline of the naira is attributed to Nigeria’s ongoing foreign exchange shortages. One economist expects the pressure on the currency to peak … Read more

Nigeria Cryptocurrency Clampdown: Central Bank Directs Fintech Firms to Stop Opening New Accounts

The Central Bank of Nigeria has directed four fintech companies to cease the creation of new accounts, citing their potential use by cryptocurrency traders. An executive from one of the affected fintech companies has associated the Central Bank’s directive with a current audit of the Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures implemented by these firms. Fintech … Read more

Nigerian Currency Reverses Early April Gains, Depreciating by 12% in Seven Days

The Naira recently depreciated by 12% in just seven days, thus shedding all the gains it made against the U.S. dollar in early April. Local media reports attribute the volatile naira’s latest drop to the growing mismatch between the supply and demand of foreign exchange. Demand and Supply Mismatch Just weeks after nearly breaching the … Read more

Nigerian Central Bank Governor Denies Using Forex Reserves to Defend Local Currency

The Nigerian central bank governor has refuted claims that the bank is using the country’s foreign exchange reserves to shore up the naira. The governor attributes the decline in reserves to debt repayments and other payments, which are made because they help to maintain Nigeria’s credibility. Maintaining Nigeria’s Credibility Yemi Cardoso, governor of the Central … Read more

Nigerian Central Bank Prohibits Use of Foreign Exchange as Collateral for Local Currency Loans

The Central Bank of Nigeria has barred the use of foreign exchange as collateral for local currency loans. In its April 8 letter addressed to banks, the CBN warned of severe consequences for banks that fail to comply with the latest directive. Halting the Slide of the Naira Hamstrung by ongoing shortages of U.S. dollars, … Read more

Zimbabwe’s Central Bank Launches Gold-and Forex-Backed ‘Structured Currency’

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has introduced a foreign exchange and gold-backed “structured currency” to replace the struggling local currency. The structured currency banknotes will be “fully convertible into the reserve currency on demand.” The central bank has also reduced the annual interest rate from 130% to 20%. Structured Currency Supported by Solid Fundamentals The … Read more

Court Orders Binance to Hand Over ‘Comprehensive’ User Data to Nigerian Authorities

A Nigerian high court has ordered Binance to provide the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with comprehensive data relating to all Nigerian traders on its platform. The EFCC alleges it has discovered instances of price discovery, confirmation, and market manipulation on the Binance platform. Binance Violates Nigerian Anti-Money Laundering Laws In a fresh development … Read more

Economic Intelligence Unit: Nigerian Central Bank Lacks Capacity to Defend Local Currency

The Economic Intelligence Unit has stated that the Central Bank of Nigeria cannot halt the rapid depreciation of the local currency. The continued volatility of the naira is expected to result in erratic regulation, primarily affecting businesses that hold foreign exchange. Nigeria Presses Ahead With Reforms The Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) has stated that the … Read more

Egypt Devalues Currency, Raises Interest Rates to Fulfill Key IMF Aid Requirement

Authorities in Egypt recently allowed the local currency’s exchange rate versus the U.S. dollar to decrease by more than 60%. Additionally, the central bank raised interest rates by 600 basis points. Both steps were key conditions set by the IMF which Egypt had to meet before the approval of a new financial aid package. IMF … Read more