CBN To Foreign Investors: We Welcome Your Investments

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on Wednesday, restated its commitment to foreign investments.

The CBN, in a statement by its Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department (CCD), Mr. Isaac Okorafor, told foreign investors that the Bank remains open to investments.

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The apex Bank was reacting to public interest over sanctions recently imposed on four deposit money banks (DMBs).

In August, the CBN fined four banks the sum of N5.87 billion for allegedly aiding telecommunication firm MTN to repatriate billions of dollars out of the country.

The Banks are Standard Chartered Bank, Stanbic-IBTC, Citibank, and Diamond Bank.

“Indeed, some of our recent innovations and reforms of the Foreign Exchange regime such as the introduction of the NAFEX window, are designed to simplify foreign exchange regulations,” Okorafor said.

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“Furthermore, the delegation of the issuance of Certificates of Capital Importation (CCIs) to commercial and merchant banks some years ago was done to instill confidence in the investor community and encourage the flow of foreign direct and portfolio investments into the Nigerian economy.
“The recent sanctions on the banks arose due to irregularities with respect to repatriations made on behalf of MTN Nigeria Limited and were not in any way designed to restrict access to investor returns.

“In response to the recent regulatory actions, the Banks and MTN are engaging the CBN and have provided additional information which is currently being reviewed with a view to arriving at an equitable resolution.

“We assure all investors that the integrity of the CCI regime remains sacrosanct and there shall be no retroactive application of foreign exchange rules and regulations.

“The CBN welcomes all legitimate investors to take advantage of the enormous investment opportunities in Nigeria.”

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