International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the Nigerian economy is recovering but its high debt burden could hurt fiscal sustainability.

The international body explained that the outlook faced balanced risks, explaining that on the downside, low vaccination rates exposed Nigeria to future pandemic waves and new variants, including the ongoing Omicron variant.

It further stated that higher debt service to government revenues (through higher U.S. interest rates and/or increase borrowing) poses risks for fiscal sustainability.

“A worsening of violence and insecurity could also derail the recovery,” IMF disclosed this in a statement issued from its headquarters in Washington D.C. on Monday.

The organisation said Nigeria exited the recession in fourth quarter 2020 and output rose by 4.1 per cent (year-on-year) in the third quarter, with broad based growth except for the oil sector, which is facing security and technical challenges.

“Growth is projected at 3 per cent for 2021. Headline inflation rose sharply during the pandemic reaching a peak of 18.2 per cent year-or-year in March 2021 but has since declined to 15.6 per cent in December, helped by the new harvest season and opening of land borders,” it stated. “Reported unemployment rates (end 2020) are yet to come down but more recent COVID-19 monthly surveys show employment back at its pre-pandemic level.”

Despite the recovery in oil prices, the general government fiscal deficit is projected to widen in 2021 to 5.9 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), reflecting implicit fuel subsidies and higher security spending, according to IMF.

Moreover, it stated that the consolidated government revenue-to-GDP ratio at 7.5 per cent remained among the lowest in the world.

It added that after registering a historic deficit in 2020, the current account improved in 2021 and gross FX reserves “have improved,” supported by the IMF’s SDR allocation and Eurobond placements in September 2021.

Notwithstanding the authorities’ proactive approach to contain COVID-19 infection rates and fatalities and the recent growth improvement, socio-economic conditions remain a challenge, according to IMF.

“Levels of food insecurity have risen and the poverty rate is estimated to have risen during the pandemic,” it added.

On the upside, the non-oil sector could be stronger, benefitting from its recent growth momentum, supportive credit policies, and higher production from the new Dangote refinery, stated IMF.

It also mentioned that Nigeria’s ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement could also yield a positive boost to the non-oil sector while oil production could rebound, supported by the more generous terms of the Petroleum Industry Act.

According to the statement, under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussions with members, usually every year.

A staff team visits the country, collects economic and financial information, and discusses with officials the country’s economic developments and policies

On return to headquarters, the staff prepares a report, which forms the basis for discussion by the Executive Board.

(NAN)