…says nobody can create jobs with such rate
Chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has raised questions about the recent increment of interest rate to close to 26 per cent by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Speaking at the opening session of a three-day summit organised by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, Dangote asserted businesses would be hard put to accommodate the new interest rate regime.
In May, following a two-day meeting, CBN’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) agreed to increase the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) from 24.75 per cent to 26. 25 per cent.
“The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) held its 295th meeting on the 20th and 21st of May 2024 to review recent economic and financial developments and assess risks to the outlook.
“Decisions of the MPC. The committee’s decisions are as follows: 1. Raise the MPR by 150 basis points to 26. 25 per cent from 24.75 per cent,” said CBN Governor, Yemi Cardoso.
However, while speaking during the manufacturer’s summit on Tuesday, Dangote noted that “Nobody can create jobs with an interest rate of (about) 30%. No growth will happen.”
He also called on the government to protect existing businesses in the country, especially manufacturers, by providing an enabling environment for them to thrive.
According to him, an import-dependent country is equivalent to poverty importation.
“No power, no prosperity. No affordable financing, no growth, no development,” he added.
Dangote said for the government to address the challenges of unemployment, poverty and insecurity, the manufacturing sector must be empowered to function optimally.
The Manufacturers Association further criticised government policies and attitude, saying they were responsible for the low performance of the manufacturing sector in the country.
The event had in attendance, Vice President Kashim Shettima and other government officials.
Francis Meshioye, President of MAN, said over 70 manufacturers have exited the sector between 2019 and 2022.
He further said it was time to take stock and rethink a way to support manufacturing businesses, to achieve the agenda of the current administration.
