Nigeria’s headline inflation is expected to slide to 11.35% in January from 11.44% in the preceding month. This is likely to be a reflection of a fall in disposable income in January, leading to a decline in aggregate demand for consumer goods.
The pattern of slow demand early in the year is seasonal and is empirically validated. In recent times, January inflation numbers have declined, as shown in the graph below. This validates that the assertion in personal income compression in January is partly because of the payment of school bills and the post-Christmas expenditure effect.
The moderation in the headline inflation would come as a relief to policymakers who are concerned that inflation will continue its upward movement which started in November. Notwithstanding, the inflation number is still a mile away from the CBN’s comfort zone of 6-9%.
Month-on-month price index down
The month-on-month inflation (which is more reflective of current prices) is projected to decline to 0.72% (8.96% annualized) from 0.74% (9.31% annualized) in December 2018. This we believe will be driven by the fall in the prices of the food basket. The most significant is the sharp drop in the price of onions which declined to N18,000 per sack after staying stubbornly high at above N30,000 per sack for five months.
Money Supply down
Money supply growth in January was constrained by factors including lower FACC disbursements, increased OMO activities and the introduction of the stabilization securities. Total FAAC disbursements in January was 20.12% lower at N649.2bn, an indication of a fall in government spending. Similarly, efforts to mop up liquidity saw a 31.49% increase in OMO sales to N2.38trn and the introduction of stabilization securities (N50.24bn)–10% of the money supply. This reduction in market liquidity is evident in the sharp drop of 42.87% in banks’ average opening position.
Diesel prices driving down operating expenses
The 7.69% decline in the retail price of diesel is expected to reduce logistics and distribution costs. This expense item is now responsible for approximately 40% of total operating expenses. Distribution expenses in the top manufacturing companies have been growing. For instance, Dangote cement’s haulage expenses grew by 53% to N63.99bn in 9M’18 from N41.56bn in 9M’17. The decline in diesel prices could reverse the increasing trend in firms’ operating costs.
Exchange rate pass-through to lower import costs
The exchange rate appreciated across all segments of the foreign exchange market in January. The naira gained 0.28% at the parallel market to close the review period at N361/$. Similarly, the interbank and IEFX rates appreciated by 0.07% and 0.38% to end the month at N306.75/$ and N363.03/$ respectively. The
appreciation in the currency was partly due to increased CBN forex intervention. Total forex sales were up 40.8% to $1.18bn in January. Given Nigeria’s high marginal propensity to import (MPI) of approximately 70%, an exchange rate appreciation would reduce import costs and lower imported inflation. This is positive
for firms’ production costs and margins, particularly in the manufacturing sector.
Peer Comparison – 3 greens, 3 reds, 1 amber
The trend in inflation varied widely across the Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries under review. Three countries have released their inflation numbers for January – Kenya recorded a decline, Uganda posted an increase, while Zambia’s inflation rate was flat. All the SSA countries under review, except Angola and Ghana, maintained the status quo on monetary policy parameters at their last monetary policy meetings.
Outlook
The moderation in the headline inflation is expected to be short-lived as the boost in liquidity stemming from the minimum wage implementation and election-related spending would increase aggregate spending and push up prices. In addition, the mobile payment launch by the mobile network operators would enhance efficiency in the payment system and increase the velocity of money in circulation. However, this could increase the money supply and weigh on the general price level.
