Nigeria's external reserves reached its peak in 2008, totaling 53 billion dollars

Key takeaways:

  • External reserves hit a peak of $53 billion, a level that hasn’t been reached since.
  • Reserves have moved between $27 billion and $43 billion in the last decade.
  • At $27 billion, 2016 was the most challenging period, coinciding with an economic recession and foreign exchange crises.
  • Reserves rebounded after 2016, reaching as high as $42.6 billion in 2019.
  • With $39.3 billion in reserves as of September 2024, Nigeria is in a stronger position than in some past years but still below historical highs.

Nigeria’s external reserves was at its peak in 2008, when reserves hit a record $53 billion. Since then, the numbers have seen ups and downs, reflecting shifts in economic conditions, government policies, and global market trends. A closer look shows that while reserves rebounded at certain points, they never quite returned to that 2008 peak. In recent years, reserves have hovered between $33 billion and $42 billion, with the latest figure for 2024 standing at $39.3 billion. This pattern suggests that despite growth in some periods, sustaining high reserve levels has remained a challenge.

Source:

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

Period:

2005 - 2024
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North and Southern Africa grew their reserve in 2023, while West, East, and Central Africa saw declines
  • North Africa dominates with 53.8% of Africa’s total reserves.
  • West Africa holds 20.3%, despite economic challenges.
  • Southern Africa accounts for 17.6%, benefiting from strong reserves in South Africa.
  • East Africa lags behind with 4.4%, indicating lower reserve accumulation in the region.
  • Central Africa holds the smallest share at 4%, reflecting economic struggles and weak financial buffers.
In 2023, Libya and Algeria topped Africa’s reserves, as Egypt faced decline
  • Libya leads Africa’s reserves with $92.4B, followed by Algeria ($81.2B) and South Africa ($62.5B).
  • Egypt’s $36.3B reserve places it fourth among African nations.
  • Morocco holds $33.1B, maintaining a strong reserve position.
  • Angola ($13.9B), Tunisia ($9.24B), Kenya ($7.34B), Mauritius ($7.25B), and DR Congo ($5.1B) round out the top 10.
  • Libya and Algeria’s strong reserves highlight North Africa’s dominance in the Black continent reserve.
Africa's reserves, peaking at $560 billion in 2013, declined to $397 billion in 2022
  • In 2013, Africa’s total reserves stood at $560 billion, the highest recorded in the past decade.
  • A steady decline followed, with reserves dropping to $402 billion by 2016.
  • A moderate recovery began in 2017 at $426 billion, stabilising around $400 billion in recent years.
  • As of 2022, Africa’s total reserves were estimated at $397 billion.
  • Despite fluctuations, Africa’s reserves have hovered around $400 billion since 2019.
Africa's $375 billion reserves in 2023 make up just 2.6% of the global total​
  • Africa ranks 5th globally in total reserves. The continent’s $375B in reserves lags behind most regions, surpassing only Oceania.
  • Asia leads with $8.24T, over half of global reserves, maintaining the strongest reserve and continent buffer driven by China, Japan, and India.
  • Europe holds nearly five times Africa’s reserves, with $3.68T.
  • South America’s $590B reserves is 57% more than Africa’s.
  • Oceania remains the lowest with $84.8B.
Nigerian financial institutions contributed approximately ₦6.40 out of every ₦100 generated nationally in Q1 2024, up from about ₦4.60 contributed in 2023
  • At 6.40%, financial institutions now contribute more than ever to Nigeria’s GDP.
  • From 3.60% in 2022 to 6.40% in Q1 2024, the sector’s share has nearly doubled in record time.
  • Between 2016 and 2019, the financial sector's contribution remained mostly flat at 2.60%–2.70%, showing little progress.
  • The financial sector started expanding post-2019, aligning with increased fintech adoption, digital banking growth, and financial inclusion policies.
  • The increasing role of financial institutions suggests more businesses and individuals are engaging with formal banking systems.
  • Despite economic uncertainties, Nigeria’s financial sector has successfully adapted and expanded, proving its ability to drive growth.
The inflation rate in Nigeria rose from 22.41% in May 2023 to 34.80% by December 2024 and dropped to 24.48% in January 2025
Key takeaways:
  • Amidst the overall upward rise in inflation since May 2023, Nigeria experienced a brief relief with slight declines between June and September 2024.
  • The inflation rate in May 2024 was 11.54% points higher than that of June 2023.
  • The inflation rate in Nigeria increased by approximately 55% from May 2023 to December 2024.
  • In December 2024, the inflation rate increased by about 4.9% points when compared to January 2024.
  • Between December 2024 and January 2025, the inflation rate dropped by 10.32%.
  • The National Bureau of Statistics rebased the Consumer Price Index from 2009 to 2024 in January 2025.
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