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From Uche Usim, Abuja
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Dr. Yemi Cardoso, has assured local and offshore investors of a conducive environment where their businesses will flourish.
He also stated that on his watch, the apex bank would focus strongly on its core mandate of price stability.
Cardoso gave the assurances at the weekend, while hosting the Impact Investing Community led by the 14th Emir of Kano and former CBN Governor, Muhammadu Sanusi II.
According to Cardoso, the new CBN management remains determined to change the narrative about the Bank and plant it on a success path so it becomes more impactful in the lives of Nigerians by curtailing inflation.
He said: “At the end of our tenure, we want to look back and see that our policies have positively impacted people’s lives.”
Cardoso thanked the Impact Investing Community for visiting the CBN, noting that the community represented an excellent future for Nigeria and has the potential to transform the country’s economy by tapping into the investment opportunities available across the country and the world.
While commending the quality of leadership at Impact Investing Community, Cardoso assured them that the CBN would collaborate with them in the direction of putting in place frameworks that will encourage investments that will positively influence the lives of Nigerians and contribute to economic growth.
In his remarks, Sanusi expressed happiness at visiting. He noted that the Bank’s activities had a massive impact on the lives of Nigerians and that many people often “do not know the impact of a Central Bank’s works until a Central Bank fails.”
While expressing concerns about the inflation rate, he urged the new leadership at the CBN to work persistently at driving down the rate, which he noted had severely impacted the wealth of individuals.
He also acknowledged the importance of long-term planning by the CBN in achieving its goals, just as he emphasised the need for the fiscal authorities to focus on agriculture and education, especially for the girl-child.
Sanusi, therefore, pledged his continued support, along with the Impact Investing Community, to the CBN in achieving its goals.
Also speaking, the Chair of Impact Investing, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, said they were at the CBN to register their willingness to support what the Bank and the Federal Government were doing in terms of changing Nigeria’s investment climate by redirecting resources to areas where they will make the most positive impact.
According to her, over $200 Trillion was available around the globe as investment funds, with $1 trillion of it with impact investing.
She further stated that Impact Investing, with a presence in over 41 countries, was willing to blend with traditional investment practitioners to make an impact in the country. While stressing the importance of social investment, she sought the support of the CBN to enable the body to achieve its goal.
Equally speaking at the meeting, the Deputy Governor in charge of Corporate Services, Dr. Bala Bello, underscored the importance of investment, noting that global capital was moving towards social investment. He thanked the team for its support, noting that collaboration and effective communication were vital to successfully navigating the current challenges in the country.
