THE World Bank is unlikely to approve the much-needed $1.5 billion for Nigeria this month as planned due to concerns over desired reforms, it was gathered yesterday.
A delay in financing from multilateral lenders could leave the economy and top oil producer, battered by low crude prices, unable to fully finance a record N10.8 trillion ($28.35 billion) budget. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said the country’s balance of payments gap this year will be $14 billion.
The World Bank, which has warned that the country could be heading toward its greatest fiscal crisis in 40 years, had aimed to bring the loan to its board for approval this month, but the three sources familiar with the talks told Reuters that negotiations over what the country will do to secure it were incomplete.
“They are not convinced about the reforms,” a source close to the government said. All three sources declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the negotiations. The source added that the currency was the core issue.
World Bank loans are often contingent upon reforms. It has not outlined any demands, but said previously that it was “recommending” a more unified, flexible exchange rate. Fuel subsidies and electricity tariffs are also being discussed.
Another banking source said the loan could not be approved until October.
The Federal Ministry of Finance directed queries to the World Bank. In a statement, the lender said discussions were at an advanced stage, but confirmed that it had not presented the loan to its board.
“Of particular importance are the steps the government is taking to marshal the needed fiscal resources for a pro-poor response to the crisis and undertake the reforms that will help ensure a robust recovery,” the statement said.
Nigeria’s policy of supporting the naira has become more costly since the oil price slide, as it relies on oil for 90per cent of its foreign exchange (forex). It has devalued the naira twice this year, but the sources said that was not enough for the World Bank, which wanted fuller reform of the naira policy.
