The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has demanded transaction evidence for repatriation and divestment of foreign investments.
In a circular signed by W. J. Kanya, Acting Director of the Trade and Exchange Department, the CBN emphasised that the guidelines outlined in its foreign exchange manual, particularly Memorandum 20, Section 2 (vi), apply universally to all Certificate of Capital Importation (CCI) transactions.
The CCI, a critical document issued by authorised dealers on behalf of the CBN, serves as proof of foreign direct capital investment in Nigeria, whether in the form of equity, debt, cash, or goods.
The circular clarified that foreign investors seeking to divest must present specific documentation to their banks.
These documents include an electronic Certificate of Capital Importation and proof of redemption of investments in local currency assets, which cover money market instruments, debt securities, and equities.
The circular reads:
The directive arrives when foreign investors have been liquidating their portfolio investments in Nigeria at a significantly higher rate.
According to a report by the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited titled “Domestic & Foreign Portfolio Investment,” foreign investors liquidated N311.41 billion worth of portfolio investments in the first half of 2024, a sharp increase from N73.06 billion in the same period in 2023.
The Cable reports that this is in contrast; foreign investment inflows were reported at N229.07 billion for the first half of 2024, up from N72.02 billion in the corresponding period last year.
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the CBN had given the go-ahead for international oil companies to sell their 50% remaining repatriated export revenues.
This is an update from the earlier instruction by the CBN for IOCs to transfer 50% of profits from oil exports to offshore parent company accounts.
It stated that the 50% balance may also be sold to authorised dealers or eligible users of foreign exchange.
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
