MAN Declares CBN Policies Disrupt Production Plans, Jeopardize Investments, Cloud Sector’s Prospects

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the premier advocacy voice of Manufacturers has declared that the Nigerian economy has encountered a range of challenges in recent years, such as foreign exchange instability, escalated energy prices and food insecurity that have heightened the inflationary pressures and grossly eroded the consumers’ purchasing power, adding that these issues have had a negative impact on the manufacturing sector, leading to decreased production and reduced competitiveness.

A statement issued by Segun Ajayi-Kadir,mni, Director General, MAN, highlighted the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) held its 24th meeting on the 25th and 26th of March 2024 to evaluate recent economic and financial developments and assess potential risks to the economy’s outlook.

The committee, according to the statement acknowledged the persistent increase in headline inflation, primarily fueled by rising food prices due to supply constraints and high costs associated with logistics and distribution, while affirming the need to address the challenge of food insecurity to tame the prevailing inflationary pressures and consequently, the MPC sustained its tightening measures after thoroughly evaluating associated risks and the short-term inflation forecast,

“At the end of the meeting, the committee decided to further tighten monetary policy as follows-Raise the MPR by 200 basis points to 24.75 per cent from 22.75 per cent; adjust the asymmetric corridor around the MPR to +100/-300 basis points; retain the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) of Deposit Money Banks at 45.0 per cent; adjust the Cash Reserve Ratio of Merchant Banks from 10.0 per cent to 14.0 percent and retain the Liquidity Ratio at 30.0 percent,” it added.

Ajayi-Kadir hinted that in broad terms, the implications of maintaining the same pattern of monetary policy decisions in the last two years is evident in the continuous macroeconomic instability prevalent in the economy with overwhelming impact on the manufacturing sector in Nigeria.

In the DG MAN words: “This is worsened by the multidimensional binding constraints responsible for the lackluster performance of the manufacturing sector in Nigeria. Undoubtedly, macroeconomic instability will continue to disrupt production plans, jeopardize investments, and cloud the sector’s prospects. In specific terms, the current MPC decisions will further limit credit interventions, increase the cost of loans, upscale production cost, reduce access to funds, manufacturing investment and competitiveness.”

He posited that as a result of the current monetary stance will amongst others the higher cost of doing business will be further exacerbated by the decision of MPC, thereby worsening competitiveness of Nigerian products in the global market, which is evident in the drastic reduction in global demand for these products.

He stated further “Data provided by the World Trade Organisation, revealed that South African manufacturing export value was $46 billion, while that of Nigeria was $3billion in 2022. Clearly, this is over 15 times greater than Nigeria’s manufacturing export value in that year. The reduction in global demand for Nigerian products was further buttressed by a NBS report that confirmed that the manufacturing export value of Nigeria plummeted by 166 percent from N2.07 trillion in 2019 to N778.44 billion in 2023.

“In addition, the exorbitant lending rate of over 30 percent has contributed largely to a drop in the share of manufacturing export to non-oil export from 82.4 percent to 24.8 percent in 2019 and 2023 respectively.”

The group lamented that the resultant increase in the cost of servicing loans is a threat to the financial stability of manufacturing companies, stressing that the increase will destabilize manufacturers through the disruption of production plans, avoidable stock-out situations, and decreased capacity utilization.

Clearly, the DG MAN said, all of these could lead to downsizing of workers, closure of more companies, upscaling of social vices and insecurity in Nigeria.

Ajayi-Kadir elucidated that the increase in Merchant Banks’ CRR and the narrowing of the asymmetric corridor will further reduce the capacity of banks to lend to the productive sector, such as manufacturing, stressing that these in addition to the high interest rates, will limit backward integration, research & development and innovation needed to enhance productivity and rapid industrial-led economic growth.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, he said acknowledges the frantic efforts of the MPC aimed at addressing the economic challenges facing the country particularly the instability in inflation and exchange rates.

MAN, he added recognizes the rationale behind the decision but, noted that it is essential for the committee to carefully consider the potential impact of the decisions on manufacturing and collaborate with fiscal authorities to support the sector to play its traditional role as a critical driver of meaningful employment, improved productivity, steady forex proceeds inflow and sustained economic growth.

DG MAN pointed out that this approach of increasing the MPR has been adopted for almost 2 years without positive result, adding that the Association expected the new CBN administration to consider other measures to combat the pressure particularly addressing the causes of the increase which are majorly cost-push factors.

MAN called on the MPC to carefully consider the impact of these monetary policy measures on the manufacturing sector and the broader economy, adding “it is crucial to strike a balance between addressing macroeconomic challenges and supporting the growth and sustainability of the manufacturing industry.”

Consequently, the Association recommended a robust synergy between the monetary and fiscal authorities as well as the consideration of the following policy measures: “Ensure adequate security in farming areas and business environment by fast-tracking the passage of the Police Reform Bill and investing significantly in data platforms, surveillance systems and community policing.

“Stabilise the value of the naira by managing the floating exchange rate within a business-friendly threshold and intensify ongoing reforms to boost the level of liquidity and degree of transparency in the official forex window.

“Prioritise forex and credit allocation to the manufacturers and fast track the proposed recapitalization of the banking sector.

“Further reduce the reliance of the country on imported products and raw materials by providing incentives for investment in backward integration and local sourcing to reduce the pressure on the dollar to the barest minimum.

“Prioritise the provision of infrastructure in industrial hubs and boost nationwide investment in renewables to reduce logistics cost and promote competitiveness.”