Business

High Rates Hike Weakening domestic production- MAN

Published

2 years ago

September 26, 2024

OCHEFA

480 Views

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) , said on Thursday that the continuous rise in interest rates by the Central Bank of Nigeria is weakening domestic production of finished goods.
MAN, therefore, called on the CBN to stop the rate hike and explore more of the monetary-fiscal policy handshake options to curb inflation.

This was the MAN reaction to the September increase in the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by 50 basis points, from 26.75% to 27.25% by the apex bank.

Segun Ajayi-Kadir, the MAN Director-General, said that despite the manufacturers expectation for a rate hold or reduction, given that price increases had slowed for the second consecutive month in August to an annual rate of 32.2%, the MPC opted for a tightening of monetary policy.

“The decision to raise the MPR to 27.25% has far-reaching implications for the manufacturing sector in Nigeria,” said Ajayi-Kadir.

Over the first six months of the year, manufacturers incurred more than ₦730 billion in capital expenses due to the continuous rise in interest rates imposed by commercial banks

He said: ” The continued increase in interest rates, which now totals 15.75 percentage points since May 2022, would compound the challenges faced by the sector, including rising production costs in the face of declining consumer purchasing power.

With the increase in borrowing costs, manufacturers will now pay over 35% on their credit facilities.

Clearly, this will lead to increase in production costs, higher prices of finished goods, lower competitiveness and production capacity expansion.

The impact of higher interest rates goes beyond compounding the challenges of manufacturers, it stifles opportunities for investment in crucial areas such as technology, retooling, and expansion within the manufacturing sector.
Manufacturers will, all the more, be compelled to choose servicing existing credit facilities over expansion and investment in new product lines.

For instance, over the first six months of the year, manufacturers incurred more than ₦730 billion in capital expenses due to the continuous rise in interest rates imposed by commercial banks.

This dilemma hampers innovation, productivity and growth.”

Business

Naira Exchange Rates Monday, 20 July

Published

18 hours ago

July 20, 2026

OCHEFA

20 Views

BLACK MARKET RATES

US DOLLAR (USD) Buy ₦1, 416 Sell ₦1,422

GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) Buy ₦1,895 Sell: ₦1,915

EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1,590 Sell ₦1,610

CANADIAN DOLLAR (CAD) Buy ₦1,020 Sell ₦1,080

SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) Buy ₦75 Sell ₦90

UAE DIRHAM Buy ₦350 Sell ₦370 CHINESE YUAN Buy ₦190 Sell ₦205

GHANA CEDI (GHS) Buy ₦95 Sell ₦110

WEST AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2, 300 Sell ₦2, 400

CENTRAL AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2,150 Sell 2,250

AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR Buy ₦800 Sell ₦900

CBN OFFICIAL EXCHANGE RATES

US DOLLAR (USD) ₦1,380.18

GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) ₦1,854.42

EURO (EUR) ₦1,577.00

SWISS FRANC (CHF) ₦1,707.94

JAPANESE YEN (JPN) ₦8.50

CHINESE YUAN (CNY) ₦203.57

WEST AFRICAN CFA (XOF) ₦2.40

WEST AFRICAN UNIT ACCOUNT (WAUA) ₦1,874. 32

SAUDI RIYAL (SAR) ₦367.48

SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) ₦83.29

Business

BUA Foods target expansion into noodles industry

Rabiu described the expansion programme as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s industrial future, emphasising that the company’s growth ambitions are driven by a commitment to national development rather than scale alone.

Published

4 days ago

July 17, 2026

OCHEFA

58 Views

Chairman of the Board of Directors of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu disclosed that it’s food arm – BUA Foods is going into new sectors such as instant noodles because “we see it as a very important sector because of its affordability and its accessibility.”

Rabiu made the disclosure in Abuja on Thursday during the 5th Annual General Meeting of BUA Foods.

He also disclosed that as part of efforts to boost food sufficiency, “we are doubling our wheat milling capacity from over a million to over two million, wheat per annum. And that is huge.”

“We are also tripling the capacity of our edible oil business. In fact, we are setting up a brand new oil mill in Port Harcourt.

“Our ambition has never been to become bigger simply for the sake of size. We are building scale because Nigeria needs strong indigenous companies capable of competing at the highest level, investing for the long term and creating lasting value,” he said.