Nigeria’s benchmark interest rate is likely to remain above 22 percent through 2026 as the central bank prioritises inflation control and currency stability over growth acceleration, according to economists and analysts polled by BusinessDay. The Central Bank of Nigeria has kept monetary policy tight after a series of aggressive hikes aimed at curbing inflation and restoring confidence in the naira. While recent data suggest tentative macroeconomic improvement, policymakers have shown little inclination toward rapid easing, opting instead fo
Nigeria’s benchmark interest rate is likely to remain above 22 percent through 2026 as the central bank prioritises inflation control and currency stability over growth acceleration, according to economists and analysts polled by BusinessDay. The Central Bank of Nigeria has kept monetary policy tight after a series of aggressive hikes aimed at curbing inflation and restoring confidence in the naira. While recent data suggest tentative macroeconomic improvement, policymakers have shown little inclination toward rapid easing, opting instead fo