Tag: IMF

  • IMF Tells African Leader Remove Trade Barriers To Increase Per Capita Income

    IMF Tells African Leader Remove Trade Barriers To Increase Per Capita Income

    Kristalina Georgieva, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), says African governments must remove trade barriers to increase the continent’s per capita income.

    Georgieva said “international cooperation is weakening at a time the world needs it most, adding that the bridges that connect countries are corroding as trade and investment barriers rise.

    The IMF managing director gave advisory on Thursday, in Côte d’Ivoire, during a curtain raiser speech in preparation for the 2023 World Bank and IMF annual meetings scheduled for October 9 to 15, in Morocco.

    Georgieva, speaking on trade barriers, said operating a free trade market will push up the per capita income of an African country by more than 10 percent.

    Per capita income measures the amount of money earned per person in a nation. A low per capita income means a lower average income of people living in a country and a lower standard of living.

    On Thursday, the World Bank reported that since 2015, per capita items in Africa have not increased.

    The lender also said between 2015-2025, Africa’s per capita items will record a steep drop of 0.1 percent.

    In her remarks, Georgieva said the full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will transform Africa into the world’s largest free-trade area and improve the living standards of the continent.

    “A fragmented world is especially challenging for emerging and developing countries, because of their greater reliance on trade and their more limited policy space,” she said.

    “Compared with other regions, the African continent stands to suffer the biggest economic losses from severe fragmentation”.

    Expressing her concern, Georgieva said a fragmented world is a challenge that must be confronted.

    She said: “In no other area is the need for international cooperation as evident as in addressing the existential threat of climate change. The world has a responsibility to stand with vulnerable countries as they deal with shocks they have not caused.”

    “This is why we at the IMF created the new $40 billion strong Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST). It provides longer-term affordable financing to help lower-income and vulnerable emerging market economies to undertake climate reforms.

    “We have already approved eleven programs, six of them in Africa, with many more to follow over the next year or two.”

    Georgieva also made a case for countries dealing with debt challenges, saying there is a need to help them, as more than half of low-income nations remain at high risk of debt distress.

     

  • Nigerian Businesses, Consumers Unite Against IMF’s Tax Proposal: Seeking Economic Reform For Prosperous Future

    Nigerian Businesses, Consumers Unite Against IMF’s Tax Proposal: Seeking Economic Reform For Prosperous Future

    The International Monetary Fund’s recent proposal to the Nigerian government, suggesting tax hikes as a means to finance the national budget and pay off public debts, has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian business community and consumer groups. In response, a formidable alliance of businesses and entrepreneurs in Nigeria is pushing back, recognizing the threat the proposal poses to their very survival.

    At the core of this crisis lies the excessive cost burden shouldered by Nigerian businesses. Rising operating costs due to government policies, such as the removal of fuel subsidies and foreign exchange unification, have rendered many firms uncompetitive, both locally and globally.

    The IMF’s recommendation to increase taxes at this juncture could potentially push businesses to the brink, possibly triggering a wave of closures of businesses in Nigeria and job losses that would reverberate across the nation.

    While big industries and multinational organisations express their concerns about the hazards of tax increases, the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are particularly vulnerable. These businesses are the lifeblood of the Nigerian economy, contributing significantly to employment and economic activity. They are also the most susceptible to tax hikes and rising operational costs.

    Small business owners and entrepreneurs are presently at the forefront of the opposition against the IMF’s proposals. They argue that the focus of the present administration should be on promoting an environment conducive for business growth and job creation, rather than imposing heavier tax burdens that threaten their very existence.

    Nigerian industry and small businesses are mounting an impressive response to the IMF’s unpopular proposal. Business associations, chambers of commerce and advocacy groups are joining forces to form a powerful front against the IMF’s recommendations. In the midst of this resistance, they are demanding a more comprehensive approach to economic stability, one that prioritizes the creation of an environment favorable to business growth.

    They argue that their fight against the IMF’s tax hike proposals isn’t merely numbers adding that it’s a struggle for the survival of industries and small businesses, as well as the livelihoods of countless Nigerians who are leaving far below the World Bank recommend bench-marked poverty level.

    They also posited that the excessive costs that have pushed businesses to the brink must be addressed, adding that the solution does not lie in more taxes. Instead, they argue that Nigeria needs a holistic approach to economic reform, one that promotes competitiveness, fosters innovation, and ensures that businesses, both large and small, have the opportunity to thrive.

    Consumer income in Nigeria has faced immense pressure in recent years, with factors like the removal of fuel subsidies and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic leading to job losses, reduced working hours, and stagnant wages. Households have been navigating a challenging economic landscape where they are expected to do more with less. Prices of goods and services across the country have soared, with minimal or no corresponding increases in wages.

    In this context, the IMF’s proposal for increased taxes is seen as another threat to consumer income. Higher taxes can diminish disposable income, leaving consumers with less money for essential needs, savings, and discretionary spending. Consumer groups argue that higher taxes can affect various aspects of everyday life, pushing the cost of basic necessities like food, utilities, and transportation to rise, making it even harder for consumers to make ends meet. While governments may argue that these tax revenues are crucial for funding public services and economic recovery, consumer advocates insist that the approach should not unreasonably burden those already struggling to cover their bills.

    Consumer groups are urging governments and the IMF to consider alternative solutions that prioritise the well-being of consumers. Instead of relying solely on tax increases, advocates are proposing a more balanced approach, one that includes measures to curb wasteful government spending, reduce corruption, and stimulate economic growth. They argue that these measures can alleviate the financial strain on consumers while fostering economic stability.

    The ongoing debate surrounding the IMF’s tax increase proposal reflects the delicate balance governments must strike between revenue generation and safeguarding the well-being of their citizens. In the face of growing income inequality and economic disparities, the burden of higher taxes on consumers is a matter that should not be taken lightly.

    As the IMF proposal continues to generate discussions across by various interest groups, there are high hopes that the federal government will consider the plight of business operators and consumers in the country and turn deaf ears to the IMF proposal when making decisions about tax policies.

    For emphasis, the road to economic recovery should not come at the expense of those who are already struggling to make ends meet. A balanced approach that takes into account the concerns of business operators and various interest groups in the country, can lead to a brighter and more equitable future for all, and the outcome of this battle will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s economic future.

     

  • IMF Clarifies It Did Not Push for Nigeria’s Fuel Subsidy Removal

    IMF Clarifies It Did Not Push for Nigeria’s Fuel Subsidy Removal

     The International Monetary Fund (IMF)has clarified that it was not responsible for Nigeria’s recent decision to remove fuel subsidies, a move that has sparked criticism due to the resulting inflation and economic hardship for many Nigerians.

    The decision, according to the IMF, was made independently by the Nigerian government.

    Speaking during a press conference at the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington D.C., the IMF’s African Region Director, Mr. Abebe Selassie, stressed that the IMF had no direct involvement in the policy decision.

    “The decision was a domestic one. We don’t have programmes in Nigeria. Our role is limited to regular dialogue, as we have with other nations like Japan or the UK,” Selassie said.

    While acknowledging that the IMF offers guidance on public resource management, Selassie pointed out that Nigeria’s decision to remove fuel subsidies aligns with its long-term strategy to enhance public resource efficiency and foster sustainable economic growth. He emphasized that the choice was deeply rooted in domestic and political considerations.

    “Ultimately, these are profound domestic and political decisions that the government had to make,” he noted.

    Selassie recognized the significant economic impact the reforms have had on Nigerians and urged the Nigerian government to implement social investment programmes to cushion the effects on vulnerable populations.

    “We recognize the significant social costs involved. The government can mitigate these by expanding social protection for the most vulnerable,” Selassie added.

    The IMF reiterated its support for Nigeria’s efforts to balance public resource management while encouraging the government to invest in infrastructure, healthcare, and education to support long-term economic stability.