Tinubu’s reforms struggling to deliver meaningful results ~ IMF.
Eighteen months after the implementation of Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has observed that the fiscal policies introduced by the President Bola Tinubu administration are struggling to deliver meaningful results.
Catherine Patillo, IMF Deputy Director, while presenting a report at the Lagos Business School (LBS) on Friday, reported a mixed performance of economic reforms across Sub-Saharan Africa, with notable successes in countries such as Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Zambia.
Nigeria was conspicuously absent from the list of success stories in the region.
The report stated that sub-Saharan Africa’s average economic growth rate is projected to remain at 3.6 per cent for 2024. It noted that Nigeria’s growth rate, pegged at 3.19 per cent, falls below this average.
Patillo said that while macroeconomic imbalances have reduced in several countries, Nigeria has yet to show such progress.
She stated that more than two-thirds of countries have undertaken fiscal consolidation, stressing that while the median primary balance is expected to narrow by 0.7 percentage points alone in 2024, there are notable improvements in Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Zambia, among others.
The report stated, “In contrast, Nigeria’s inflation rate, which slowed briefly in July and August, resumed its upward trend in September, rising further in October.
“At 33.8 per cent, it significantly exceeds the 21 per cent target set for 2024, with analysts predicting further increases in November and December.”
The report also observed Nigeria’s struggles with exchange rate stability, highlighting it as one of the worst-performing nations in that regard.
Peoplesmind
