IMF upgrades Nigeria’s GDP growth forecast to 2.3% for 2019

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday upgraded its growth rate forecast for Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2019 to 2.3 percent, while retaining 2.1 percent for 2018. The body based its improved rating on improved crude oil prices.

The IMF announced the upgrade in its World Economic Outlook (WEO) Update, July 2018 titled, ‘Less Even Expansion, and Rising Trade Tensions’.

The 2019 GDP growth forecast of 2.3 per cent announced for Nigeria was 0.4 percentage points higher than the 1.9 per cent announced in April this year.

IMF however retained GDP growth forecast of 3.4 per cent for the Sub-Saharan Africa in 2018, it upgraded its forecast for   2019 to 3.8 percent, from 3.7 percent announced in April, citing rise in commodity prices.

“The recovery in Sub-Saharan Africa is set to continue, supported by the rise in commodity prices. For the region, growth is expected to increase from 2.8 percent in 2017 to 3.4 percent this year, rising further to 3.8 percent in 2019 (0.1 percentage point higher for 2019 than forecast in the April WEO). The upgraded forecast reflects improved prospects for Nigeria’s.

“Its growth is set to increase from 0.8 percent in 2017 to 2.1 percent in 2018 and 2.3 percent in 2019 (0.4 percentage point higher than in the April WEO for 2019) on the back of an improved outlook for oil prices”. The international body explained.