Business A.M
No Result
View All Result
Saturday, October 17, 2026
  • Login
  • Technology
  • Finance
  • Comments
  • Companies
  • Commodities
  • ONLINE & DIGITAL CONTENT PACKAGE
Subscribe
Business A.M
  • Technology
  • Finance
  • Comments
  • Companies
  • Commodities
  • ONLINE & DIGITAL CONTENT PACKAGE
No Result
View All Result
Business A.M
No Result
View All Result
Home forex

Nigeria’s new forex policy driving growth in critical sectors – stakeholders

by Admin
June 15, 2017
in forex
Godwin Emefiele

The new forex policy of government, which has seen the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) continually injecting dollar into the foreign exchange market, has been commended as the right measure to boosting critical sectors of the economy, according to stakeholders.

Consensus among stakeholders is that Nigeria’s critical sectors are on the verge of being productive again, that investors’ confidence is now on the upswing as liquidity in the forex market has brought about clarity in policy direction.
Muda Yusuf, director-general, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) noted that the foreign exchange policy has helped to reduce the volatilities in the forex market and minimise uncertainties.
He therefore commended the CBN for the prompt interventions in the forex market, adding that this renewed effort of intervention is better than when there was forex scarcity in the country.
He also commended the Federal government on its recent initiatives on the Ease of Doing Business, adding that this would positively impact on the economy.
“We commend the various policy measures put in place to improve the business environment. We applauded the executive orders and the acts on the movable collateral and credit registry. These initiatives would create the right environment for business and boost investors’ confidence,” the director-general said.
On enabling legislation, the LCCI helmsman said that LCCI also applauded the national assembly on the efforts at providing enabling legislations to boost the inflows of private sector capital to complement the capital budget spending of the government especially on infrastructure.
“The recent Business Environment forum between the national assembly and the private sector on legislations would boost private investment in the economy,” he added.
 
He however, enjoined government to do something about the current liquidity squeeze in the economy, which has reduced buying power and raised inventories in manufacturing concerns.
Other analysts are hopeful that the assent to the 2017 budget and its subsequent implementation would improve cash flow in the economy.
Admin
Admin
Previous Post

Naira rates converge on Thursday to open at N367/$

Next Post

Richest black South African Motsepe eyes more than 3 billion rand in IPO

Next Post

Richest black South African Motsepe eyes more than 3 billion rand in IPO

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest

How UNESCO got it wrong in Africa

May 30, 2017

CBN to issue N1.5bn loan for youth led agric expansion in Plateau

July 29, 2025
MMA2 enters new commercial era after 20-year concession dispute

MMA2 enters new commercial era after 20-year concession dispute

August 28, 2026
NGX taps tech advancements to drive N4.63tr capital growth in H1

Insurance-fuelled rally pushes NGX to record high

August 8, 2025

6 MLB teams that could use upgrades at the trade deadline

Top NFL Draft picks react to their Madden NFL 16 ratings

Paul Pierce said there was ‘no way’ he could play for Lakers

Arian Foster agrees to buy books for a fan after he asked on Twitter

Onafriq, a pan-African payments company, is set to discontinue its Baxi agent banking business in Nigeria after five years, citing naira depreciation, rising operating costs and intensifying competition that have weakened the segment’s profitability. The planned shutdown will affect the agent banking operations conducted through Baxi under Onafriq Nigeria Payments Limited. However, the decision does not signal the company’s withdrawal from Nigeria, as it intends to retain its cross-border payments network and card issuing services in the country. In a statement, Onafriq said changes in Nigeria’s operating environment since 2024 had significantly altered the economics of its offline agent banking business, making the existing model unsustainable. The move marks a strategic shift for the company, which entered Nigeria’s agent banking market to expand access to financial services through a network of agents providing transaction services outside traditional bank branches. Onafriq attributed the decision to a combination of macroeconomic pressures and structural changes in the country’s payments industry. According to the company, naira depreciation and inflation have affected transaction volumes, increased operating expenses and undermined the sustainability of its agent banking operations. The growing adoption of instant account-to-account transfers has also changed the mix of transactions handled by agents, while heightened competition among payment service providers has put further pressure on margins. These developments have made it increasingly difficult for the business to remain viable under its existing operating structure, prompting the company to reassess its long-term strategy. Dare Okoudjou, founder and chief executive officer of Onafriq, said the decision to close the business was difficult, particularly given the efforts of employees, agents and business partners who helped build the Baxi network. “We entered Nigeria with conviction and commitment, but did not achieve the outcome we set out for. Closing this business was a difficult decision to arrive at, one that affects colleagues, agents, and business partners across Nigeria who poured their hearts and soul into building out the Baxi network,” Okoudjou said. Despite the closure, he reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the Nigerian market, noting that the group would continue to serve customers through its payments network and card issuing operations. Onafriq entered Nigeria’s agent banking market in 2021 through the acquisition of Baxi, also known as Capricorn Digital Limited. The company said it continued investing in the business through 2023, with efforts focused on expanding and strengthening its agent network. However, a subsequent review of the business’s long-term prospects and financial sustainability led to the decision to wind down the operation. As part of the transition, Onafriq said agents onboarded through the Baxi platform had been moved to another principal bank, a step intended to facilitate continuity for the affected agents. The company has also directed agents to transfer their funds to their preferred principal bank within 30 days, adding that its teams would provide support throughout the transition process. Employees whose roles are linked to the agent banking business will also be consulted and supported during the wind-down, with Onafriq pledging to treat affected workers fairly.

Onafriq winds down Baxi as Nigeria’s agent banking economics worsen

October 17, 2026
LCFE links petroleum trading to capital market in pricing transparency drive

LCFE links petroleum trading to capital market in pricing transparency drive

October 17, 2026
Copper rebounds to $14,480 as US tariff risks cloud price outlook

Copper rebounds to $14,480 as US tariff risks cloud price outlook

October 17, 2026
Nigeria’s cocoa processing gap exposes $2bn investment opportunity 

Nigeria’s cocoa processing gap exposes $2bn investment opportunity 

October 17, 2026

Popular News

  • How UNESCO got it wrong in Africa

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • CBN to issue N1.5bn loan for youth led agric expansion in Plateau

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • MMA2 enters new commercial era after 20-year concession dispute

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Insurance-fuelled rally pushes NGX to record high

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Glo, Dangote, Airtel, 7 others prequalified to bid for 9Mobile acquisition

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Currently Playing

CNN on Nigeria Aviation

CNN on Nigeria Aviation

Business AM TV

Edeme Kelikume Interview With Business AM TV

Business AM TV

Business A M 2021 Mutual Funds Outlook And Award Promo Video

Business AM TV

Recent News

Onafriq, a pan-African payments company, is set to discontinue its Baxi agent banking business in Nigeria after five years, citing naira depreciation, rising operating costs and intensifying competition that have weakened the segment’s profitability. The planned shutdown will affect the agent banking operations conducted through Baxi under Onafriq Nigeria Payments Limited. However, the decision does not signal the company’s withdrawal from Nigeria, as it intends to retain its cross-border payments network and card issuing services in the country. In a statement, Onafriq said changes in Nigeria’s operating environment since 2024 had significantly altered the economics of its offline agent banking business, making the existing model unsustainable. The move marks a strategic shift for the company, which entered Nigeria’s agent banking market to expand access to financial services through a network of agents providing transaction services outside traditional bank branches. Onafriq attributed the decision to a combination of macroeconomic pressures and structural changes in the country’s payments industry. According to the company, naira depreciation and inflation have affected transaction volumes, increased operating expenses and undermined the sustainability of its agent banking operations. The growing adoption of instant account-to-account transfers has also changed the mix of transactions handled by agents, while heightened competition among payment service providers has put further pressure on margins. These developments have made it increasingly difficult for the business to remain viable under its existing operating structure, prompting the company to reassess its long-term strategy. Dare Okoudjou, founder and chief executive officer of Onafriq, said the decision to close the business was difficult, particularly given the efforts of employees, agents and business partners who helped build the Baxi network. “We entered Nigeria with conviction and commitment, but did not achieve the outcome we set out for. Closing this business was a difficult decision to arrive at, one that affects colleagues, agents, and business partners across Nigeria who poured their hearts and soul into building out the Baxi network,” Okoudjou said. Despite the closure, he reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the Nigerian market, noting that the group would continue to serve customers through its payments network and card issuing operations. Onafriq entered Nigeria’s agent banking market in 2021 through the acquisition of Baxi, also known as Capricorn Digital Limited. The company said it continued investing in the business through 2023, with efforts focused on expanding and strengthening its agent network. However, a subsequent review of the business’s long-term prospects and financial sustainability led to the decision to wind down the operation. As part of the transition, Onafriq said agents onboarded through the Baxi platform had been moved to another principal bank, a step intended to facilitate continuity for the affected agents. The company has also directed agents to transfer their funds to their preferred principal bank within 30 days, adding that its teams would provide support throughout the transition process. Employees whose roles are linked to the agent banking business will also be consulted and supported during the wind-down, with Onafriq pledging to treat affected workers fairly.

Onafriq winds down Baxi as Nigeria’s agent banking economics worsen

October 17, 2026
LCFE links petroleum trading to capital market in pricing transparency drive

LCFE links petroleum trading to capital market in pricing transparency drive

October 17, 2026

Categories

  • Frontpage
  • Analyst Insight
  • Business AM TV
  • Comments
  • Commodities
  • Finance
  • Markets
  • Technology
  • The Business Traveller & Hospitality
  • World Business & Economy

Site Navigation

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy & Policy
Business A.M

BusinessAMLive (businessamlive.com) is a leading online business news and information platform focused on providing timely, insightful and comprehensive coverage of economic, financial, and business developments in Nigeria, Africa and around the world.

© 2026 Business A.M

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Technology
  • Finance
  • Comments
  • Companies
  • Commodities
  • ONLINE & DIGITAL CONTENT PACKAGE

© 2026 Business A.M