Business
Non-Oil Export Earnings Drop By $5.9bn – CBN
Nigeria’s non-oil export
economy has come down by more than N5.9 billion from N10.35 billion recorded in 2014 to $4.39 billion.
Besides, credit to non-oil exports sector which currently is in the decline has only constituted a paltry 0.6 per cent of total domestic credit to the private sector in the past five years.
Making the disclosure at the non-oil exports stimulation conference organised by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Export – Import Bank, (NEXIM) in Abuja recently the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele said the apex bank provided N300 billion as export stimulation intervention fund to exporters at about nine per cent.
The conference with the theme “Strategies for Growing Nigeria’s Non-Oil Exports” attracted about 400 participants across all stakeholders in the non-oil sector of the Nigerian economy.
“The cumulative impact of these remedies has plagued the development of the non-oil sector and has limited the sector’s contribution to foreign reserve accretion” he said.
According to him, the volatility in the international oil market has necessitated the renewed focus on non-oil exports as panacea to the nation’s dwindling foreign reserves.
A rejuvenated non-oil export, he noted would also stimulate economic growth and development.
He pledged that the CBN would continue to play a catalyst’s role in improving export and encourage the local production of jute bag through collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Business
Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.