The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Yewande Sadiku, was a guest on Arise Xchange, the weekly global business report of ARISE TV Networks on Thursday, 16 July, 2020 where she shared her thoughts on how the coronavirus pandemic has affected Nigeria’s strategy in soliciting foreign investments and renewed focus in local investors focusing on stimulating local businesses.
Commenting on UNCTAD’s forecast which estimates that foreign direct investment flows will decrease by 30-40 per cent in 2020/2021, Sadiku explained that “as the pandemic worsens and economies further contract, our projection remains that those UNCTAD figures will shrink even further”. She added, “Investment announcements which we track and share daily through our newsletter show that $5.06 billion investment announcements were recorded in the first half of 2020 – this is a third of what was recorded within the corresponding period last year”.
Nevertheless, the biggest investments for new entrants from the half-year were recorded from Kaduna, Nasarawa and Ekiti states.
Addressing the anchor, Boason Onafeye’s question on the 33 projects announced, the importance of tracking investments, she explained that “in the first half of 2020, NIPC tracked 33 projects across 15 states and the FCT, versus in the first half of 2019 where the Commission tracked 43 projects in 10 states and the FCT. Our meticulous tracking gives the Commission an understanding of the sectors, sub-national areas that excite investors. Additionally, it enables us to advise the government on policy changes that are required to reverse or thrust policy-making.”
While FDI is expected to slow down because of COVID-19, we are also presented with new optimism for local investments and businesses to take advantage of some unique opportunities presented by COVID. In particular, fintech, e-commerce, and food processing are witnessing increased consumer activity. Increased domestic investor activity can also trigger foreign companies expanding or partnering with Nigerian businesses.
On her outlook for the rest of 2020, she expressed her belief that “many economies will be focused on investment-driven growth and getting their investors to look internally and invest inwards to stimulate local businesses. This will also happen alongside a renewed zeal on impact investment, as investors would not only consider the returns on their investments but the impact their capital will have on the overall health of economies.”
She further added that there will be a continuous increase in the domestic manufacturing capacity of essential and critical commodities per country.”
