The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced its decision to resume the sale of foreign exchange to eligible Bureau De Change (BDC) operators across the country, with each operator set to receive $20,000.
This decision, disclosed in a circular issued by the Director of the Trade and Exchange Department, Hassan Mahmud, on Tuesday, marks a significant shift after more than two years of suspended sales of forex to BDC operators by the former CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele.
The circular, titled “Sale of Foreign Exchange to Bureau de Change Operators to meet retail demand for eligible invisible transactions,” aims to address distortions in the retail segment of Nigeria’s foreign exchange market and narrow the gap in the exchange rate.
According to the circular, the allocation will be sold at a rate of N1,301/$, reflecting the lower band rate of executed spot transactions at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market as of the previous trading day, dated February 27, 2024.
The circular read, “Following the ongoing reforms in the foreign exchange market, aimed at achieving an appropriate market-determined exchange rate for the Naira, the Central Bank of Nigeria has observed the continued price distortions at the retail end of the market, which is feeding into the parallel market and further widening the exchange rate premium.
“To this end, the CBN has approved the sale of foreign exchange to eligible Bureau De Change to meet the demand for invisible transactions. The sum of $20,000 is to be sold to each BDC at the rate of N1,301/$- (representing the lower band rate of executed spot transactions at NAFEM for the previous trading day, as of today, 27th February 2024).
“All BDCs are allowed to sell to end-users at a margin NOT MORE THAN one per cent (1 per cent) above the purchase rate from CBN.”
In addition, the apex bank directed eligible BDCs to make Naira payments to the designated CBN Foreign Currency Deposit Naira Accounts and submit confirmation of payment, with other necessary documentation.
“All eligible BDCs are directed to make the Naira payment to the designated CBN Foreign Currency Deposit Naira Accounts and submit confirmation of payment, with other necessary documentation, for disbursement at the appropriate CBN Branches ABUJA, AWKA, LAGOS and KANO,” it added.
