Business

Insecurity: World Bank Expresses Concern, Proffers Measures To Curtail Trend

Published

2 years ago

April 13, 2022

The World Bank Group President, David Malpass, yesterday expressed concern about the increasing spate of insecurity globally.
Malpass said this in his speech at the Warsaw School of Economics in Poland ahead of the 2022 Spring Meetings titled “Addressing Challenges to Growth, Security and Stability’’.
The session was monitored virtually by the News Agency of Nigeria.
He said millions of people were suffering amid massive reversals in development.
According to Malpass, effective allocation of capital, promotion of growth and production and keeping markets open are some actions global community could take to address the situation.
He said that the overlapping global crises were resulting to a weak economic outlook.
According to him, the violence is unfortunately not confined to Ukraine.
“Just over the last year, we have witnessed serious setbacks for development and security, including Afghanistan’s collapse, Lebanon’s crisis, and coups and violence across the Sahel, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Yemen.
“Millions of Syrians are living in refugee camps in Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey. Inter-ethnic and inter-religious strife plagues Myanmar and other parts of Asia.
“And in Latin America and the Caribbean, levels of crime and violence are alarmingly high, with some urban and rural areas controlled by criminal gangs or drug cartels.
“The trend toward insecurity is deeply concerning. This year, 39 of the 189 member countries of the World Bank Group are experiencing open conflict situations or remain worryingly fragile,’’ Malpass said.
He said that the number of people living in conflict areas nearly doubled between 2007 and 2020.
“Today, in the Middle East and North Africa, one in every five people lives in an area affected by conflict.
“This unraveling of security has brought a surge in the number of refugees, which more than doubled over the last decade to exceed 30 million refugees in 2020,’’ he said.
Malpass however, said that each of the ongoing crises hits the vulnerable the hardest, often women and girls.
He said “on the economic front, trends are not encouraging. Prior to the war in Ukraine, the recovery in 2022 was already losing momentum due to rising inflation and lingering supply bottlenecks.
“While advanced economies were expected to return almost to their pre-pandemic growth rates in 2023, developing economies were lagging substantially behind,’’ he said.
Malpass said that the war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 lockdowns in China were further reducing the recovery path.
According to him, of concern, the repercussions are worsening the inequality as the war affects commodity and financial markets, trade, and migration linkages, and investor and consumer confidence.
“Advanced economies with well-developed social protection systems are cushioning parts of their populations from the damage from inflation and trade blockages, but poorer countries have limited fiscal resources and weaker systems to support those in need.
“Currency depreciations and inflation are hitting the poor hard, causing fast increases in 2022 poverty rates.
“Adding to the burden, developing country debt has risen sharply to a 50-year high—at roughly 250 per cent of government revenues.
“Debt vulnerabilities are particularly acute in low-income countries, where 60 per cent are already experiencing or at high risk of debt distress,’’ he said.
Malpass further said that most emerging markets and developing economies were ill-prepared to face the coming debt shock.
“Exposures to financial sector risk are opaque at this point, but one measure, the cost of insuring against default in emerging markets, has reached its highest point since the onset of the pandemic,’’ he said.
Malpass, however, included steadfast commitment to security and stability as part of measures to address the situation.
According to him, durable peace takes constant effort to strengthen institutions, reduce inequality, raise living standards, and provide defences.
“In the alternative, security crises trigger massive increases in poverty and decimate the middle class,’’ he said.

Business

E-Commerce Platform Revolutionises Online Businesses, Empowers SMEs

Published

4 days ago

September 4, 2024

The Tide

A revolutionary online marketplace launched in December 2023, Naijamart.com, is shaking up the landscape for Nigerian businesses.
The multi-platform ecosystem is designed to empower businesses of all sizes and connect them with a wider audience at zero cost.
It offers diverse range of platforms on catering to specific business needs, and its product platform allows the buying and selling of a vast array of products, from electronics and fashion to home ware and groceries.
Naijamart Motors provides a dedicated space for seamless transactions, including buying, selling, or leasing a car, motorcycle, or any other vehicle, and also provides a dedicated space for seamless transactions.
According to the facilitators, Mr. Olalekan Emmanuel Odusanya and Mr. Moses Omhekono Owolabi, the platform was created to fill a significant void in the e-commerce industry, bridging the gap between vendors and buyers while providing enhanced security.
“Our vision is to create a platform where everyone benefits. We have meticulously designed the platform with an array of innovative tools and features to ensure that every user, regardless of their role, enjoys a seamless and rewarding experience.
“The platform is user-friendly, ensuring that even those with minimal technical skills can easily create and manage their online storefronts, and guarantees triple sales through its comprehensive support system and innovative features designed to maximise visibility and customer engagement.
“This multifaceted platform has also been the bedrock and backbone for many SMEs, providing support to the underserved and less privileged and grants to businesses”, Odusanya said.

Business

Analysts Fear Bank Recapitalisation May Worsen SMEs’ Funding

Published

4 days ago

September 4, 2024

The Tide

Analysts have said that the ongoing recapitalisation in the banking sector was pushing the industry towards greater consolidation, with significant implications for lending practices, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
They also noted that the Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive for banks to increase their capital base was not only reshaping the landscape by encouraging mergers among smaller banks, but also raising concerns about restricted access to credit.
According to the Head of Research at a financial market infrastructure group warehousing, FMDQ, Vincent Nwani, the recapitalisation was likely to lead to a wave of mergers and acquisitions, as smaller banks may find it difficult to meet the stringent capital requirements on their own.
“The recapitalisation will undoubtedly lead to further consolidation in the banking sector.
Smaller banks may struggle to meet the new requirements independently, prompting more mergers and acquisitions. This consolidation is likely to create a more competitive environment but may limit credit access for smaller enterprises,” Nwani explained.
Meanwhile, a Professor of Economics at Babcock University, Olusegun Ajibola, warned that while the recapitalisation might strengthen the overall banking sector, it could also result in tighter lending conditions, particularly for SMEs.
He noted that banks, in their effort to meet the new capital requirements, might prioritise capital accumulation over lending, which could temporarily reduce the availability of credit for SMEs.
“While the recapitalisation will strengthen the banking sector, the immediate effect will be a tightening of lending, particularly to small and medium-sized enterprises.
“Banks are focused on shoring up their capital, which could temporarily crowd out credit availability for SMEs, crucial to our economy,” the former president of the Chartered Institute of Banking of Nigeria noted.
The Tide’s source reports that the Association of Securities Dealing Houses of Nigeria(ASHON) has accused banks of bypassing licensed stockbrokers as receiving agents in the fresh recapitalisation exercise.
The Chairman of ASHON, Sam Onukwue, and its Secretary, Athan Ogbozor, stated that the association was empowering their staff members, including drivers and receptionists, to issue and receive share subscription forms.

Business

FCMB Moves To Empower Nigeria’s Female Tech Entrepreneurs

Published

4 days ago

September 4, 2024

The Tide

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has launched a female friendly programme called “FCMB’s HERccelerate programme”, aimed at promoting startups’ growth, funding, mentorship, and training to help female founders.
FCMB’s Managing Director (MD), Yemisi Edun, who said this during the launch of the programme, said the initiative, which is driven by the Bank’s SheVentures and Hub One innovation hub, is executed in collaboration with 8th Gear Hub and Venture Studio.
The programme, according to the MD, seeks to equip female founders with the necessary skills, knowledge, and networks to secure funding and ensure sustainable growth.
She noted that applications for the programme, which targets women-led startups across various sectors, including Fintech, Agritech, Healthtech, Edtech, and E-commerce, offers them the chance to compete for funding and other strategic benefits and would be closing on September 30, 2024.
The MD said participants will undergo rigorous training, including office hours, site visits to successful local startups, and networking events with seasoned entrepreneurs.
“This robust support structure is designed to provide participants with access to knowledge, resources, investors, markets, and networks.
“The programme will culminate in a showcase event where winners will receive grant funding and gain exposure to potential investors.
“The bank is commited to fostering innovation and supporting women-led businesses, particularly SMEs in the tech sector.
“This initiative reaffirms our dedication to empowering women entrepreneurs to pursue their ambitions and make significant contributions to the tech ecosystem and Nigeria’s economic development.
“We understand the unique challenges faced by female-led tech ventures, from funding constraints to biases that hinder growth. HERccelerate is our platform to drive innovation and open more funding avenues for these businesses.
“We urge women entrepreneurs to take advantage of this opportunity to leave a lasting impact”, She said.
The Tide’s source reports that Nigeria’s tech sector has experienced notable growth in recent years, with women-led startups making significant inroads across various industries.