Nigeria has the capacity to repay all of its loans, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Following the conclusion of its 2021 article IV consultation with Nigeria, the financial institution’s executive board published a statement on Monday, February 7.
Nigeria received a $3.4 billion IMF loan when the COVID-19 outbreak broke out in April 2020.
“The Board of Directors stated that Nigeria’s ability to repay the Fund is sufficient.
They advocated for closing data gaps to allow for prompt and accurate assessments of reserve adequacy,” according to the statement.
For long-term and inclusive growth, the directors stressed the need for fundamental reforms in the fiscal, exchange rate, trade, and governance areas.
“Directors highlighted the urgency of fiscal consolidation to create policy space and reduce debt sustainability risks.
In this regard, they called for significant domestic revenue mobilisation, including by further increasing the value-added tax rate, improving tax compliance, and rationalising tax incentives,” the statement reads.
“Directors also urged the removal of untargeted fuel subsidies with compensatory measures for the poor and transparent use of saved resources.
They stressed the importance of further strengthening social safety nets.
“Directors welcomed the removal of the official exchange rate and recommended further measures towards a unified and market-clearing exchange rate to help strengthen Nigeria’s external position, taking advantage of the current favourable conditions.
“They noted that exchange rate reforms should be accompanied by macroeconomic policies to contain inflation, structural reforms to improve transparency and governance, and clear communications regarding exchange rate policy.
”the statement read The directors recommended that Nigeria strengthen its monetary operational framework over the medium term by focusing on price stability and scaling back the central bank’s quasi-fiscal operations. T
They also welcomed the resilience of the banking sector and the planned expiration of pandemic-related support measures