EXPERTS URGE CREDIT RATING AGENCIES TO PROVIDE CLEARER ECONOMIC OUTLOOKS AMIDST NIGERIAN INVESTMENT CHALLENGES

  • Weekly Giveaway for our active users. N50,000 per Week. Do you want to contribute to this community? We are looking for contribution? What is hot right now? Sign up and get in on the ground floor of the newest, fastest growing Nigerian forum!

Olori Uwem

Member
Mar 18, 2024
553
16
18
EXPERTS URGE CREDIT RATING AGENCIES TO PROVIDE CLEARER ECONOMIC OUTLOOKS AMIDST NIGERIAN INVESTMENT CHALLENGES

Breakdown:
At the 2024 International Credit Rating Webinar organized by DataPro Limited, financial experts called for credit rating agencies (CRAs) to offer more transparent and realistic assessments to support investors navigating Nigeria’s uncertain economic conditions. With economic instability, such clarity is seen as vital for making sound investment decisions.

Key Highlights:
1. Panel Discussion: Experts like Sam Amukoko (Metropol Rating Agency), Sonnie Ayere (DLM Capital Group), and Kemi Awodein (Chapel Hill Denham) stressed that, despite economic difficulties, Nigeria still presents investment opportunities. They emphasized the importance of CRAs providing comprehensive insights to guide investors.

2. Capital Market Development: The panelists advocated for stronger capital markets across Africa. They praised the African Union’s initiative to establish homegrown sovereign ratings, which could lessen African nations' dependence on foreign debt.

3. Challenges for CRAs: The experts acknowledged the complexity of providing accurate ratings due to Nigeria's volatile economic landscape, influenced by inflation, high borrowing costs, and fluctuating policies. These factors make it difficult for CRAs to assess debt repayment abilities and assign reliable ratings.

4. Investment Potential: Despite the harsh environment, Nigeria remains attractive to investors, particularly in sectors like commercial paper, which continue to offer potential returns.

5. Expert Remarks: DataPro's founder, Abimbola Adeseyoju, reiterated the importance of CRAs in Nigeria’s financial ecosystem. He highlighted that CRAs not only assess asset quality but also play a crucial role in supporting risk management and promoting economic growth.

6. Keynote Speaker Insights: International banking expert Christian Ruehmer urged banks to collaborate more closely with CRAs, as both share the goal of fostering business success. He emphasized the need for reliable financial insights, particularly in helping domestic companies grow.

By ensuring CRAs provide realistic and reliable economic outlooks, experts believe investors will be better equipped to navigate the challenging Nigerian market while uncovering valuable opportunities.