Bank loans hit N8.03trn H1 2023

Oil and Gas, and manufacturing sectors lead other sectors in the amount of loans received from banks in the first half of 2023, accounting for 55.5 per cent of total N8.03 trillion to the economy as loans.

This was revealed via data from the Sectoral Distribution of Credit by Deposit Money Banks published by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the Statistical Bulletin for the second quarter of the year of 2023.

The Oil and Gas sector got the largest share of N3.09 trillion representing 38.8 percent of fresh loans in the first half of 23, followed by the manufacturing sector which received N1.42 trillion or 17.5 per cent.

The financial sector comprising the Finance, Insurance and Capital Market received the 3rd largest share of banks’ loans receiving N837 billion or 10.4 per cent of the new loans in the first half of 23.

Trade and General Commerce received N670 billion representing 8.3 per cent while the Information, Communication and Technology sector received N517 billion representing 6.4 per cent of new loans in the first half 2023.

General Services and Constructions received N398 billion and 348 billion respectively representing 5.0 per cent and 4.3 per cent of new loans in the first half of 23.

The Power and Energy sector received N287 billion representing 3.6 per cent while the public sector (government) received N125 billion representing 1.6 per cent of new loans in the first half of 23.

However, banks’ lending to the Mining & Quarrying sector declined by 16.6 per cent or N502 million in the first half of 2023, as lending to the sector dropped to N29.59 billion as the end of June from N30.09 billion at the beginning of the year.

Similarly, lending to the Education sector dropped by 11 per cent to N84.19 billion at the end June from N94.4 billion at the beginning of the year.

According to the Head of Equity Research at FBNQuest Securities Limited, Tunde Abidoye, a sizable chunk of oil and gas and manufacturing loans are denominated in US dollars.

“As such, the growth in banks’ exposure to both sectors was largely driven by the 40 per cent devaluation of the naira, following the CBN’s floating of the currency in June 2023.”

“The high-interest rate environment may eventually start to take a toll on banks’ lending to the real sector. Businesses, particularly SMEs, may decide to delay their investment decisions due to the high rate of interest. Delayed investment decisions will result in a slowdown of gross fixed capital formation (capital expenditure) and ultimately lead to lower Gross Domestic Growth, GDP growth.”