...Results point to green shoots of recovery
The inaugural edition of the Business Barometer: Nigeria CEO Survey by the global research and consultancy firm Oxford Business Group (OBG) suggests that the country is finally drawing a line under a challenging few years triggered by low global oil prices, with investor confidence on the rise.
As part of its latest survey, which was undertaken in partnership with Deloitte Nigeria, OBG asked more than 100 high-level executives from across the country’s industries a wide-ranging series of questions on a face-to-face basis aimed at gauging business sentiment. The findings are now available to view at OBG’s Editors’ Blog
OBG’s first-time Business Barometer: Nigeria CEO Survey was launched during a Deloitte in Dialogue conference, titled “Nigeria Economic Outlook 2018”, which took place on January 25, 2018.
Attended by several government ministers and about 200 CEOs, the conference, which was held at Deloitte Nigeria’s premises in Lagos, considered the outlook for the national economy in 2018, while also charting its resilience through the recession. Keynote speakers at the conference included: Dr. Doyin Salami of Lagos Business School, Mr. Ben Akabueze, the Director General of Budget office of the Federation, Ms. Yewande Sadiku, Executive Secretary/CEO of Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission, Dr. Tunde Fowler, Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Services. The West Africa CEO of Deloitte, Mr. Fatai Folarin and Deloitte’s West Africa Tax Leader, Mr. Yomi Olugbenro and other senior business leaders were also in attendance.
Deloitte’s West Africa CEO, Fatai Folarin, said at the event that “Deloitte strongly believes in the ‘Nigeria project’ and has a strategic priority of actively promoting and supporting government policies and initiatives that are geared towards economic growth and development”. He reiterated Deloitte’s motivation as transcending profits, because the Firm measures success by the impact it make in the society.
From the respondents surveyed by OBG, 84% described their expectations for local business conditions in the coming 12 months as either positive or very positive. Three-quarters also said they were likely or very likely to make a major investment in the approaching year.
However, the survey also highlighted some of the key challenges that business leaders face. These included borrowing, with 90% of those surveyed rating access to credit as either difficult or very difficult. In addition, three-quarters of CEOs described their level of satisfaction with suppliers and service providers as either low or very low.
In response to a question on attributes needed for the workplace, just over half (58%) cited leadership as the skill most in need, ahead of research and development, and engineering.
Commenting on the results, Souhir Mzali, OBG’s Regional Editor for Africa, said that while Nigeria was hit particularly hard by the fall in oil prices, recent developments, such as a rise in the stock exchange’s All Share Index, power reforms and increases in staple crop production, suggested that the country was now eyeing a new phase of sustainable growth.
“Clearly, there are still plenty of issues to tackle if Nigeria is to stoke growth to pre-2014 levels, or indeed higher, notably access to finance,” she said. “However, the results of the inaugural OBG Business Barometer for the country point to a renewed enthusiasm among corporate decision makers, suggesting the economy is, finally, on the first steps towards its long-overdue recovery.”
Mzali’s in-depth evaluation of the survey’s results can be found on OBG’s Editors’ Blog, titled ‘Next Frontier’. All four of OBG’s regional managing editors use the platform to share their expert analysis of the latest developments taking place across the sectors of the 30+ high-growth markets covered by the company’s research.
The OBG Business Barometer: CEO Surveys features in the Group’s extensive portfolio of research tools. The full results of the survey on Nigeria will be made available online and in print. Similar studies are also under way in the other markets in which OBG operates.
As part of its latest survey, which was undertaken in partnership with Deloitte Nigeria, OBG asked more than 100 high-level executives from across the country’s industries a wide-ranging series of questions on a face-to-face basis aimed at gauging business sentiment. The findings are now available to view at OBG’s Editors’ Blog
OBG’s first-time Business Barometer: Nigeria CEO Survey was launched during a Deloitte in Dialogue conference, titled “Nigeria Economic Outlook 2018”, which took place on January 25, 2018.
Attended by several government ministers and about 200 CEOs, the conference, which was held at Deloitte Nigeria’s premises in Lagos, considered the outlook for the national economy in 2018, while also charting its resilience through the recession. Keynote speakers at the conference included: Dr. Doyin Salami of Lagos Business School, Mr. Ben Akabueze, the Director General of Budget office of the Federation, Ms. Yewande Sadiku, Executive Secretary/CEO of Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission, Dr. Tunde Fowler, Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Services. The West Africa CEO of Deloitte, Mr. Fatai Folarin and Deloitte’s West Africa Tax Leader, Mr. Yomi Olugbenro and other senior business leaders were also in attendance.
Deloitte’s West Africa CEO, Fatai Folarin, said at the event that “Deloitte strongly believes in the ‘Nigeria project’ and has a strategic priority of actively promoting and supporting government policies and initiatives that are geared towards economic growth and development”. He reiterated Deloitte’s motivation as transcending profits, because the Firm measures success by the impact it make in the society.
From the respondents surveyed by OBG, 84% described their expectations for local business conditions in the coming 12 months as either positive or very positive. Three-quarters also said they were likely or very likely to make a major investment in the approaching year.
However, the survey also highlighted some of the key challenges that business leaders face. These included borrowing, with 90% of those surveyed rating access to credit as either difficult or very difficult. In addition, three-quarters of CEOs described their level of satisfaction with suppliers and service providers as either low or very low.
In response to a question on attributes needed for the workplace, just over half (58%) cited leadership as the skill most in need, ahead of research and development, and engineering.
Commenting on the results, Souhir Mzali, OBG’s Regional Editor for Africa, said that while Nigeria was hit particularly hard by the fall in oil prices, recent developments, such as a rise in the stock exchange’s All Share Index, power reforms and increases in staple crop production, suggested that the country was now eyeing a new phase of sustainable growth.
“Clearly, there are still plenty of issues to tackle if Nigeria is to stoke growth to pre-2014 levels, or indeed higher, notably access to finance,” she said. “However, the results of the inaugural OBG Business Barometer for the country point to a renewed enthusiasm among corporate decision makers, suggesting the economy is, finally, on the first steps towards its long-overdue recovery.”
Mzali’s in-depth evaluation of the survey’s results can be found on OBG’s Editors’ Blog, titled ‘Next Frontier’. All four of OBG’s regional managing editors use the platform to share their expert analysis of the latest developments taking place across the sectors of the 30+ high-growth markets covered by the company’s research.
The OBG Business Barometer: CEO Surveys features in the Group’s extensive portfolio of research tools. The full results of the survey on Nigeria will be made available online and in print. Similar studies are also under way in the other markets in which OBG operates.
Nice post. I learn something more challenging on distinct blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content off their writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d choose to use some with all the content in my small weblog whether you do not mind. Natually I’ll provide a link on your own internet weblog. Many thanks sharing. ブラック融資
ReplyDeletePatience and persistence are virtues. custom injection molding
ReplyDeleteThe thoroughness of your survey process is impressive. It’s clear you leave no stone unturned!Ocean Pro Boat Inspections
ReplyDelete"Pre-trip trailer inspections are a must! I learned the hard way after neglecting my hitch system."
ReplyDeleteOceanPro Boat Inspections Towing safety