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The World Bank Group has projected that Nigeria will in 2014 receive an inflow of $21 billion

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11 years ago

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The World Bank Group has projected that Nigeria will in 2014 receive an inflow of $21 billion as remittances from Nigerians living and working abroad. This figure will place Nigeria as the top receipt of foreign remittance in Africa. Nigeria will be followed by Egypt with a projected remittance of $18 billion.

This fact is contained in a release by the World Bank Group on” Migration and Remittances: Recent Developments and Outlook; Special Topic: Forced Migration “.

According to the report “Remittances to developing countries are projected to grow by 5.0 per cent to reach $435 billion in 2014 accelerating from the 3.4 per cent expansion of 2013, and rise further by 4.4 per cent to $454 billion in 2015. In 2013, remittances were more than three times larger than ODA and, excluding China, significantly exceeded foreign direct investment flows to developing countries. Growth of remittances in 2014 is being led by three regions: East Asia and the Pacific, South Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean.

“Officially recorded remittance flows to developing countries are projected to reach $435 billion in 2014, 5.0 per cent higher than last year (Figure 1.1 and Table 1.1). The growth in remittances is expected to moderate to 4.4 percent in 2015, raising flows to US$454 billion. This outlook is based largely on lower projected GDP growth rates in key remittance-sending countries. Global remittance flows, including flows to higher-income countries, are expected to follow a similar pattern, rising from US$582 billion in 2014 to US$608 billion in 2015.

“Remittances are an essential source of external funds for developing countries. These flows were three times larger than official development assistance in 2013, and are steadier than both private debt and portfolio equity. Remittance flows are significantly larger than total foreign direct investment to developing countries, excluding China. They are also a more stable component of receipts in the current account, reliably bringing in foreign currency that helps sustain the balance of payments and dampen gyrations

“The global average cost of sending remittances continued its downward trend in the third quarter of 2014, falling to 7.9 percent of the value sent, compared to 8.9 percent a year earlier. Competition and the expansion of mobile-phone and internet-based technologies hold much potential to continue driving down fees. Risk-based approaches to the application of anti-money laundering regulations to remittance operators and international banks hosting their bank accounts will be important to ensuring that compliance does not result in undue costs, which could slow the fall in remittance costs and leave substantial flows underground. The report said “With over 14 million people born in India living abroad in 2013 (estimated to be the largest emigrant stock in the world), India is projected to remain the largest recipient of officially recorded remittance inflows, which may reach $71 billion in 2014. Other countries expected to receive large remittances in 2014 include China $64 billion, the Philippines $28 billion, Mexico $24 billion, Nigeria $21 billion, and Egypt $18 billion”.

The report said that despite the huge sums flowing into large countries, in many instances they are relatively small share of GDP. Giving instances it said remittance flows to India amounted to only 3.7 per cent of GDP in 2013. By contrast, many smaller countries are far more dependent on remittance inflows. For example, remittances as share of GDP amounted to 42 per cent in Tajikistan, 32 per cent in the Kyrgyz Republic, and 29 per cent in Nepal.

It said that the main drivers of remittances are migrant stocks and economic conditions in remittance-sending countries. With the exception of rapid deportations, the stock of migrants is comparatively stable. Still, more needs to be done to reduce the costs of migration, including flows from major oil producing countries track closely with oil prices, as do other factors affecting migrant employment opportunities. For example, oil prices are an important factor in remittance flows from Russia. Climbing migrant employment in the US is boosting remittances to Latin

Exchange rates and the cost of sending remittances are also important determinants. Appreciation of the remittance source country’s currency against that of the recipient country boosts flows (note that changes in the exchange rate between the currency of the remittance source country and the US dollar also affect remittance flows when expressed in US dollars). Similarly, the falling costs and increasing convenience of sending money (discussed in greater detail below) are helping lift remittance flows, especially through formal remittance channels. Conversely, compliance with international anti-money laundering and counter financing of terrorism regulations may be a significant cost factor putting upward pressure on prices, which may in turn leave substantial flows in underground channels (see Box 2.2 further below). In addition, exchange controls in countries such as Argentina and Venezuela are also causing flows to shift underground.

An important feature of remittance flows is how they respond to natural disasters. There is substantial evidence that the humanitarian impulse is a powerful motivator of remittances. For example, the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti in 2010 spurred remittance flows to that country, with further encouragement from money transfer companies committing to transfer remittances free of charge. A similar pattern was observed in Pakistan after the widespread floods in August 2010; remittances jumped 19 percent during the remainder of 2010 compared with the previous year, and 27 percent in 2011. While flooding in Pakistan this year was more limited than in 2010, it still caused massive damage and again may be motivating a rise in remittances; they are projected to rise by 16.6 percent in 2014. Recovery from the super typhoon that struck the Philippines in 2013 brought an 8.5 percent increase in remittances that year, again helped by money transfer companies agreeing to zero fees for making remittances. These observations suggest that remittances are not only a lifeline sustaining consumption in some of the poorest parts of the world, but they also tend to serve as insurance against key risks confronting the poor and help mitigate vulnerability.

With the outlook for GDP growth in major remittance source countries somewhat weaker than previously projected, growth in global remittance flows is also expected to moderate, especially to developing countries in Europe and Central Asia.

The cost average total cost of sending about US$200 fell from 8.9 percent in the third quarter of 2013 to 7.9 percent in the third quarter of this year (Figure 2.1). The average weighted by the size of bilateral remittance flows also fell, from 6.6 percent in the third quarter of 2013 to 5.7 percent in the same period this year. The slight narrowing of the spread between the global average total cost and the global weighted average suggests that even smaller remittance markets are becoming increasingly contested, as mobile operators enter the market and new online services are being offered.

While cash products remain the most widely available, more account-based services are entering the market; cash-to-account remains the lowest-cost method for making remittances among account types. Online services are also expanding, now comprising 23 percent of the sample surveyed by the Remittance Prices Worldwide (RPW) database of the World Bank Payment Systems Development Group. These services offer various ways of paying for a transaction (from bank accounts, bank wires, credit cards, and debit cards), and receiving funds (in beneficiary bank accounts, or in cash through a local agent). The cash-to-account channel averaged 5.4 percent in the third quarter of 2014.

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FG earned N2.78trn from Company Income Tax in second quarter 2025—NBS

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1 week ago

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November 28, 2025

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National Bureau of Statistics has said that Nigeria’s Company Income Tax rose sharply in the second quarter of 2025, hitting N2.78 trillion.

The figure represents a significant 40.27 per cent increase compared to the N1.98 trillion recorded in the first quarter of the year, reflecting both improved tax compliance and stronger corporate performance across key economic sectors.

The NBS report said that domestic company income tax payments accounted for the bulk of the revenue, contributing N2.31 trillion, while offshore collections stood at N469.36 billion during the period under review.

According to the NBS, the financial and insurance sector recorded the highest quarter-on-quarter growth, rising by an astonishing 772.29 per cent, driven by improved profitability among banks, fintechs, and insurance firms following robust half-year earnings.

This, according to NBS, was followed by wholesale and retail trade, as well as motor vehicle repair activities, which grew by 538.38%.

Activities of households as employers also surged by 526.79%, although their overall contribution to total company income tax remained negligible.

On the flip side, some sectors experienced sharp declines in company income tax remittances.

Activities of extraterritorial organizations and bodies dropped by –45.01%, while education, public administration, defence, and compulsory social security recorded declines of –26.61% and –18.17% respectively.

The contraction in these sectors, particularly education and public administration, highlights persistent structural and fiscal challenges confronting government-funded institutions.

In terms of contribution to total tax revenue, financial and insurance activities led with a dominant 44.13%, reflecting the sector’s continuing expansion and strong capital flows.

Manufacturing followed with 15.57%, bolstered by increased production output and improved supply chain activity.

Mining and quarrying ranked third, contributing 9.18%, supported by higher commodity prices and renewed interest in solid mineral development.

At the bottom of the contribution chart were activities of households as employers, which accounted for just 0.01%, as well as activities of extraterritorial organizations and bodies, and water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation services, each contributing 0.04%. Despite economic headwinds, year-on-year company income tax collection still rose by 12.66% when compared to Q2 2024, underscoring moderate but steady improvement in government revenue mobilisation.

Company income tax collection in the same period of 2024 rose by 150.83 per cent N2.47 trillion. In the first three months of the year, company income tax collection stood at N984.61 billion. According to the report, local payments in the period under review amounted to N1.35 trillion, while foreign CIT payments contributed N1.12 trillion. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sectors exhibited the highest growth rate at 474.50%, followed by financial and insurance activities at 429.76%, and manufacturing at 414.15%.

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Lagos govt promises MSMEs continued visibility, market access

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3 weeks ago

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November 16, 2025

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Lagos State government has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the state through visibility, capacity building, and market access. Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, made the pledge on Sunday at the closing ceremony of the 2025 Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF). The 38th edition of the event, organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), had its theme as “Connecting Business, Creating Value.”

Ms Ambrose-Medebem said every entrepreneur, regardless of scale, deserves an enabling environment to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the state’s economic prosperity. She said the state, through strategic investments in infrastructure, institutional reforms, and continuous engagement with the private sector, was building a Lagos that worked for business. The commissioner added that the state would continue to foster innovation, competitiveness, and sustainability.

“As a government, we remain steadfast in our commitment to making Lagos the preferred destination for commerce and enterprise. This fair has once again demonstrated the power of connection: connection between producers and consumers, investors and innovators, the government and the private sector, and local entrepreneurs and global brands. Every handshake, every conversation, every business card exchanged here is a building block toward the future we are creating, a future of prosperity that leaves no one behind,” she said.

The commissioner urged businesses to continue to connect, collaborate, and create value, saying, “In Lagos, we do not just trade goods; we trade ideas, build futures, and transform lives. “Together, let us continue to make Lagos not just a place of commerce, but a symbol of progress, innovation, and endless opportunity.” Gabriel Idahosa, president of LCCI, urged governments at all levels to continue addressing the issues of creating an enabling environment in the country.Mr Idahosa said focus should be on infrastructure, security, and implementing the right policies to address the key drivers of high inflation.

This, he said, was needed to fully harness the vast enterprising resources of domestic and foreign investors for the diversification of our economy and the welfare of our people. He pledged the commitment of the organised private sector to stand solidly behind the state in its quest to actualise its innovative initiatives on all fronts. NAN

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Jumia posts $17.7m pre-tax loss in Q3, down 1% in 12 Months

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3 weeks ago

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November 12, 2025

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Jumia Technologies AG posts a $17.7 million loss before income tax in the third quarter of 2025, down 1% year-on-year from $17.8 million in the third quarter of 2024. The road to profitability has remained long as ecommerce continues to face uncertainties, including widening competition with rivals in the same industry. The e-commerce company revenue came in at $45.6 million compared to $36.4 million in the third quarter of 2024, representing a 25% year-over-year surge in the period. The company reported gross merchandise value of $197.2 million compared to $162.9 million in the third quarter of 2024, up 21% year-over-year. Excluding South Africa and Tunisia, physical goods GMV grew 26% year-over-year, Jumia revealed in the unaudited financials.

Jumia said in its report that the GMV growth was driven by supply and strong marketing execution, partially offset by lower corporate sales in Egypt. Excluding corporate sales, GMV in reported currency grew 37% year-over-year. Nigeria’s momentum accelerated, with order growth up 30% and GMV up 43% year-over-year, Jumia said. The e-commerce giant’s operating loss reduced by 13% year-over-year to $17.4 million compared to $20.1 million in the third quarter of 2024. The company’s adjusted earnings before interest tax depreciation and amortisation loss dropped by 17% to $14.0 million compared to $17.0 million in the third quarter of 2024.

Jumia reported a loss before income tax of $17.7 million, a slight reduction of 1% compared to $17.8 million in the third quarter of 2024. Liquidity printed at $82.5 million, a decrease of $15.8 million in the third quarter of 2025, compared to an increase of $71.8 million in the third quarter of 2024, which included the net proceeds from the August 2024 At-the-Market (ATM) offering, and a decrease of $12.4 million in the second quarter of 2025.

Its net cash flow used in operating activities settled at $12.4 million compared to net cash flow used in operating activities of $26.8 million in the third quarter of 2024 and $12.7 million used in the second quarter of 2025. The result includes a positive working capital contribution of $0.4 million.

Jumia reported that customers’ orders grew 34% year-over-year, driven by strong execution, enhanced product assortment, and healthy consumer demand across key categories. It said quarterly active customers ordering physical goods grew by 23% year-over-year, highlighting continued engagement and customer loyalty. As of September 30, 2025, the Company’s liquidity position was $82.5 million, comprised of $81.5 million in cash and cash equivalents and $1.0 million in term deposits and other financial assets, it said in the report Jumia’s liquidity position decreased by $15.8 million in the third quarter of 2025, compared to an increase of $71.8 million in the third quarter of 2024, which included net proceeds from the August 2024 At-the-Market (ATM) offering, and a decrease of $12.4 million in the second quarter of 2025.

Net cash used in operating activities was $12.4 million in the third quarter of 2025, compared to a net cash used of $26.8 million in the third quarter of 2024 and $12.7 million used in the second quarter of 2025. The result includes a positive working capital contribution of $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2025, compared to a negative working capital contribution of $9.1 million in the third quarter of 2024, primarily reflecting improvements in operating performance.

 In addition, the Company reported $1.4 million in capital expenditures in the third quarter of 2025, compared to $0.9 million in the third quarter of 2024, primarily reflecting investments in infrastructure and facility enhancements to support business growth. “This quarter marks a significant acceleration in customer demand and order growth, driven by strong execution across our markets and growing consumer trust in the Jumia brand. We believe Jumia has reached an inflection point as our compelling value proposition, and improved operational discipline position us for sustainable, profitable growth.

“We continue to strengthen our cost structure and sharpen operational discipline, reinforcing our path toward profitability. Our focus remains on execution and customer engagement as we build a more efficient business.
“We believe that we are on track to reach breakeven on a Loss before Income tax basis in Q4 2026 and achieve full-year profitability in 2027, positioning Jumia for long-term growth and value creation.”

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