PwC projects decline in Nigeria’s inflation to 29.5% by 2024 year-end

A consulting firm, PwC, has projected a marginal decline in Nigeria’s inflation to 29.5 percent by the end of this year.

The company made the projection in its latest economic outlook report on Nigeria released on Monday. According to the company, the decline would be achieved as a result of the ongoing reforms and policy actions of the government.

As of May, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows Nigeria’s inflation rate surged to 33.95 percent in May 2024, up from 33.69 percent in April 2024.

“PwC projects a marginal decline in inflation to 29.5 percent by year-end, balancing the effects of reforms, policy actions, external pressures, and food prices; particularly in the second half of the prices outlook year,” the company stated.

Despite the positive projection, the company highlighted key considerations for the government in the areas of policies that could help stabilise the economy.

Specifically, it urged the government to prioritise macro stability by addressing security, social and pressure points of inflation, and exchange rate pressures.

According to PwC, the government would also need to mobilise capital to drive growth through market focused policies, intensification of investment promotion. It also advised the government to make short- and long-term sectoral bets focused on exports, domestic substitution, and job creation.

“Government must drive fiscal prudence by optimising spending on capital projects with the highest ROI, rationalise public service spending and improve revenue diversification and collection efficiency. It must decide when and how to introduce, defer, sequence, or stagger different policies based on current economic and social conditions,” the firm added.

Citing the recently introduced and suspended cybersecurity levy as an instance, PwC advised the government to adopt scenario planning before any major economic reform is implemented to avoid unwarranted policy reversals.