(MENAFN- Saudi Press Agency) Nigeria has slashed its forecast for economic growth in 2015 due to the plunge in global oil prices, the finance minister's budget presented to parliament on Wednesday showed, Reuters reported.
The ministry now sees Africa's biggest economy growing 5.5 percent in 2015, down from an earlier projection of 6.4 percent. Oil accounts for the bulk of government revenue in Nigeria, but global crude prices have almost halved over the last six months.
The Naira currency closed at a record low on Wednesday, down 3.6 percent on the day at 187.10 to the dollar, after the central bank said it would hold its last foreign exchange auction of the year on Wednesday, triggering strong demand from some importers. The currency rarely reacts to budget news.
The 4.3 trillion Naira ($23 billion) budget is based on a benchmark oil price of $65 a barrel, down from $77.50 this year, and a significant cut on previous budgets, Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said.
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