The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has not foreclosed granting credit facilities to Nigeria and other emerging economies within its membership, it was learnt last night.
Speaking during an online media parley in Washington DC, United States (U.S.), the IMF said the facilities would come through its financial safety nets.
According to the IMF, the loans are to protect member countries from losing their financial security or derailing from long-term financial goals.
It reiterated the importance of strengthening global financial safety net, and ensuring that countries have access to support.
In the media parley transcript posted on its website, IMF called for actions to strengthen policy frameworks and reduce vulnerabilities in monetary policy, fiscal policy, and financial support for business.
“We emphasise the importance of the global financial safety net, and countries having access to that as appropriate, including, of course, support from the IMF, which we stand ready to provide as needed by our membership,” it said.
A data from the Debt Management Office (DMO) showed a rise in Nigeria’s total public debt from N32.92 trillion in 2020 to N39.56 trillion at the close of last year.
A breakdown of the debt statistics as at December 31, 2020, showed that Nigeria owes International Development Association (IDA) $11.12 billion; Eurobonds ($10. 8 billion); IMF ($3.53 billion) and Exim Bank of China ($3.26 billion), among others.
