Reforming Nigeria's oil sector will have mixed success

Significance Revelations by an investigative commission that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) withheld 25 billion dollars from the federal government between 2011 and 2015 will add urgency to the proceedings. Impacts Concessional loans from the World Bank, African Development Bank and China Exim Bank may fund Nigeria's 'stimulus' budget. Low oil prices will constrain economic growth -- expected to be 4.6%, well below the 6.8% average during the decade ending 2014. The central bank's decision to raise its benchmark interest rate to 12% (a full percentage point increase) will dampen consumer demand.

Author(s):  
Stephen Kwamena Aikins

This study investigated the extent and benefits of Africa's broadband connectivity, its impact on e-government and economic growth, and the challenges and best practices for addressing them. Studies by the UN and ITU over the years have revealed Africa lags behind in the global broadband connectivity and e-government diffusion. The Connect Africa summit held in 2007 by the ITU and its partners came out with five specific goals to connect the continent and help improve its economy. This study reviewed the Connect Africa Outcomes Report, and analyzed the publications of three independent studies conducted by: a) the ITU, b) the World Bank and the African Development Bank, and c) Informa Telecoms and Media. The findings reveal that Africa has made substantial progress in international connectivity and mobile broadband penetration. Additionally, broadband connectivity has contributed toward some improvements in e-government initiatives and economic growth. The study concludes with recommendations to address the existing challenges to consolidate the gains made.


Author(s):  
Lichtenstein Natalie

Chapter 10, Reflections, draws on the histories of AIIB’s predecessors to single out themes that may prove relevant for AIIB’s future development. Examples are taken from the stories of the World Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), the Asian Development Bank (AsDB), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Principal themes are: economic and financial environment; international relations and politics; funding; membership changes; major shareholders; clients and operations; leadership and governance; and attitudes toward change. While AIIB has been established in a world far different from the second half of the twentieth century that saw the birth of its predecessors, many of these aspects of the development of these multilateral development banks may prove similarly influential as AIIB’s future unfolds.


Significance British Airways stopped selling tickets in Egyptian pounds because it could not convert earnings into dollars. At end of February, Egypt's foreign reserves stood 16.53 billion dollars -- down from 36.04 billion dollars at end-2010. The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) and the government have introduced measures to curb imports to reduce the import bill, and have provided tariff protection to local industries, in order to address the chronic shortage of foreign exchange. Impacts The government will resort to more creative measures to ease its foreign currency problems. This will include requiring suppliers to agree to deferred payment, and holding up shipments by applying intrusive inspection criteria. Recent financing agreements with the World Bank, the African Development Bank, Saudi Arabia and China have given Egypt some leeway. However, if it finally accepts the case for devaluation it may seek support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).


Author(s):  
Stephen Kwamena Aikins

This study investigated the extent and benefits of Africa's broadband connectivity, its impact on e-government and economic growth, and the challenges and best practices for addressing them. Studies by the UN and ITU over the years have revealed Africa lags behind in the global broadband connectivity and e-government diffusion. The Connect Africa summit held in 2007 by the ITU and its partners came out with five specific goals to connect the continent and help improve its economy. This study reviewed the Connect Africa Outcomes Report, and analyzed the publications of three independent studies conducted by: a) the ITU, b) the World Bank and the African Development Bank, and c) Informa Telecoms and Media. The findings reveal that Africa has made substantial progress in international connectivity and mobile broadband penetration. Additionally, broadband connectivity has contributed toward some improvements in e-government initiatives and economic growth. The study concludes with recommendations to address the existing challenges to consolidate the gains made.


Author(s):  
Lichtenstein Natalie

Chapter 1, Beginnings, introduces the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the book and its author. The origins of the AIIB proposal by China are discussed, along with the global economic and geo-political aspects that led to its establishment. There are comparisons to the establishment of other multilateral development banks: the World Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), the Asian Development Bank (AsDB), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The steps in the negotiating process in 2014–2015 are summarized, and presented in a table of the 57 countries that participated. The author describes her role in drafting the AIIB Charter and some of the considerations in the choice of model.


Author(s):  
Lohya Ibrahim Lakai

Nigeria as a state is a member of many international institutions and organizations. Nigeria has also benefited from these institutions particularly financial institutions. For example, the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Paris club, The German Development Bank (KWF), African Development Bank, etc. through loans, grants and aid assisted the Nigerian Government in funding some projects and institutions. Despite this funding, Nigeria Institutions continues show little or no impact commensurate to the funding plunged. This work tries to discuss the role of international institutions in co-financing public institutions in Nigeria. In discussing the role of international institutions, the obstacles and challenges for an effective and transparent procedure will be considered as well as proffer solutions to them.


Significance The IMF's willingness to turn a blind eye may enable Angola to retain access to concessional finance over the next 18 months; however, Luanda needs a plan to address deferred principal payments and recapitalise a key escrow account in 2023. Impacts The IMF's latest funding review will unlock USD500mn from the World Bank and USD200mn from the African Development Bank. Persistent IMF pressure for greater central bank autonomy will help curb inflation, which recently reached 25%, pending new legislation. Domestic banks remain vulnerable to economic shocks amid a lengthy recession, persistent high inflation and continued currency depreciation.


2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 987-1011
Author(s):  
Norman Mugarura

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to articulate the mandate of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) not least in promoting a sound legal regulatory environment for markets to operate globally and its inherent challenges. While acknowledging the plausible work done by the IMF in supporting countries to achieve their macro-economic stability, the paper articulates some of its shortcomings as a global institution. It is evident that the post-war climate in which the World Bank and IMF were created has drastically changed – which presupposes that these institutions now need to reposition themselves to reflect on contemporary global challenges accordingly. The author has argued in the past that a robust regulatory system should be devised taking into account the dynamic challenges in the market environment but also to prevent them from happening again. Design/methodology/approach The paper has utilized empirical evidence to evaluate the mandate of the IMF in addressing its dynamic challenges such as the global financial and debt crises in Europe and the USA and prevention of financial sector abuse globally. The IMF is one of the Bretton Woods Institutions charged with the oversight responsibility to enforce policies and enable countries to manage their macro-economic challenges efficiently. Findings The findings demonstrate that the IMF is as relevant and important as it was when it was created in 1945. However, there is a need for intrinsic and structural changes within this institution to continue discharging its mandate in a changed global regulatory landscape. The IMF is still crucial in fostering a fundamental stabilization function to fragile global economies in areas of financial and technical assistance, and developing requisite legal and supervisory infrastructure within fledging member countries. Research limitations/implications The paper was written by analysis of both theoretical and empirical data largely based on secondary data sources. It would have been better to first present the findings in an international conference to solicit wide views and internalize them accordingly. Practical implications While acknowledging the plausible work done by the IMF and its counterpart the World Bank in facilitating global financial markets regulation and prevention of financial sector abuse, as oversight institutions, they need to constantly review their mandate to respond robustly to their dynamic challenges such as the global and debt crises and financial sector abuse. Oversight institutions need to constantly review and adapt their mandate accordingly, if they are to discharge their varied responsibilities efficiently. They cannot stand still in the face of challenges because they will be superseded and kept at a back foot. Social implications Markets and states are embedded in each other, and the way they are regulated is of a significant importance to varied stakeholders and people. Originality/value This paper is one of its kind, is unique in its character and evaluates embedded issues using empirical evidence in a way not done in its context before. Secondary data sources have been evaluated to achieve a thoughtful analysis of the objectives of the paper.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document