Zawya

The Central Bank of Nigeria says weak agricultural infrastructure across the country stems largely from farmers' difficulties in accessing finance. The bank argues that without better credit availability, investment in irrigation, storage and rural roads will lag, holding back the agricultural sector.

Nigerian banking experts are discussing why commercial banks must hold a percentage of customer deposits with the Central Bank of Nigeria. The reserve requirement is a core monetary policy tool, helping the central bank control liquidity, manage inflation and safeguard the banking system. Commentators are weighing the policy's impact on banks' lending capacity and the wider economy.

Economists and financial experts are calling on the Central Bank of Nigeria to redirect the country's large inflows of diaspora remittances into productive sectors of the economy rather than letting them go mainly to household consumption. The discussion, reported by Zawya, reflects growing concern that billions sent home by Nigerians abroad could be better harnessed for investment in areas like industry, agriculture and infrastructure.