The Business NG - July 26, 2024

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Today's Edition is on how High Interest Rates Force Nigerian Corporates to Shun Capital Market



The Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) aggressive interest rate hikes have led to a surge in borrowing costs, prompting Nigerian corporates to retreat from the capital market. The CBN raised the monetary policy rate by 750 basis points to 26.25% between January and May 2024, significantly impacting the cost of capital for businesses and the government.

As a result, companies have adopted a cautious stance towards participating in the capital market, leading to a decline in new listings of commercial papers and corporate bonds. Data from the FMDQ revealed a 22.6% drop in new listings of commercial papers and a 97.6% plummet in new listings of corporate bonds in the first five months of 2024.

The high-interest environment has made it difficult for companies to service their debts, leading to a rise in non-performing loans (NPLs) and tighter lending criteria for banks. The manufacturing and telecommunications sectors, critical to Nigeria's economy, have been severely impacted, with increased costs of production and operational challenges.

Experts suggest that the government should explore alternative measures to combat inflation that do not disproportionately affect the cost of borrowing. Targeted support for affected sectors and fiscal policies aimed at boosting production and supply-side interventions could help alleviate the situation.

The future outlook remains uncertain, with companies needing to navigate the high-interest environment carefully. Until interest rates decrease, it is unlikely that there will be a substantial increase in new listings of commercial papers and corporate bonds.