This is a
practical illustration of what I shared. Earlier today I explained what
Exchange rate meant and the types of exchange rate click here if you if you
missed it
On June
20th, 2016 the Central Bank of Nigeria launched the new flexible exchange rate
policy that ushered in the floating of the Naira effectively shutting down
decade’s long policy of holding on strong to an exchange rate peg (fixed
exchange rate).
Analysts
expected the exchange rate between the Naira and the dollar to be determined
fully by the market and not by the Central Bank or indeed any single force.
Unfortunately, what we observed was that in the first two weeks of floating the
currency, we saw nothing close to an exchange rate peg(fixed rate).
Understandably,
the Central Bank will take some time to shake off its love for losing what was
very dear to it. It had for years jealously help on to a pegged exchange rate
so it obviously was yet to dawn on them that with this move, the Naira will
face up to the wrath of free markets.
Things have
changed since then and the Central Bank has eventually shaken off its hold. As
the chart above depicts, it appears we have now seen an exchange rate that bears
the hallmark of being a floating currency. The week of the 18th of July finally
saw the CBN allow the market to take charge. Should we be happy about this?
We believe
so. An exchange rate that is left to market forces will in the short run burn
the Naira. However, that will give the CBN and the Government enough leverage
to put policies and structures in place that will attract foreign investments.
The government needs foreign investors to help kick start a revival of the
economy.
The
government needs to see a rebound in our external reserves (currently at
$26billion) to the $40b levels and requires both growth in revenues and
investments in the economy to achieve that. A market determined exchange rate
helps push that mission closer to being achieved. In the long run we should be
better off, provided we focus on economic policies that play to our core
strength.
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