Why manufacturing sector is not attracting significant investment – NESG

DESPITE the numerous opportunities in the manufacturing sector, only N5.73 trillion has been invested in it so far.

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) made this disclosure in a report issued by the NESG on Friday. 

According to the report, the gap between announced investment and actual investment points to the low confidence level of investors in the real sector.

Investment announced between 2019 and 2020 stood at US$46.4 billion with the manufacturing sector accounting for 25% (US$11.56 billion) of these announced investments.

The Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) had earlier said the actual FDI inflows into the economy in both years was US$1.96 billion (just 4% of announced investment) with sectors such as Telecoms, Trade, Agriculture and Manufacturing, accounting for the larger inflows.

The NESG stated that one major reason the manufacturing sector has not attracted significant investments when compared to those of other countries is policy and regulatory inconsistency.

It went on to say that frequent reversals of government policies on importation, lack of implementation of the provisions in national policy documents and regulatory lapses are key factors that have affected the manufacturing sector in Nigeria.

The group said poor quality of infrastructure is the longest standing problem of the manufacturing sector in Nigeria and it has contributed to the high cost of production. It is a disincentive for investment despite huge potentials and a large consumer market in Nigeria.

Bad road networks and inadequate electricity supply make it difficult for businesses to maximise returns and limit the cost of operations, the group established.

The World Bank had said, early this year, that businesses in Nigeria lose about $29 billion annually due to the country’s unreliable electricity.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) also confirmed that inadequate electricity supply and the high cost of alternative energy sources are the topmost challenges hampering the performance and growth of the sector.

Port congestion and logistics bottlenecks are also important challenges that limit the performance of the sector, according to the group.