Why are the new naira notes scarce?
Scarce naira

Key questions this article answers:

  1. The CBN initially gave Nigerians three months to swap their old naira notes for new ones. Given we had already seen how this short time frame could disrupt India in 2016, was Nigeria’s outcome going to be any different? 

  2. As many Nigerians spend most of their time queuing for fuel or cash, what could be the implications of these lost labour-hours?

​​​​​​
Nigerians are going through unprecedented levels of suffering. Amid lingering fuel scarcity and epileptic power supply, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) naira redesign policy and the accompanying cash crunch have thrown major parts of the country into chaos.

We all recall that in October 2022, CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele announced the redesign of ₦200, ₦500, and ₦1,000 notes.

His aim? To mop up about ₦2.7 trillion—over 80% of the total currency in circulation (₦3.2 trillion).

However, given the short time frame and

This story is only available to Premium subscribers Subscribe or sign in to finish reading

Not ready to subscribe? Register to read a selection of free stories

Yomi Ajayi

Yomi Ajayi

Read Latest

When PFAs become LPs: The funding shift in African PE

PREMIUM - 12 SEP 2025

Pensions Industry in South Africa: Business Model, Growth, Competition (September 2025)

PREMIUM - 10 SEP 2025

Weekly Africa Macro Update: September 1 - 5, 2025

PREMIUM - 08 SEP 2025

Africa's stronger currency outlook could lift PE returns

PREMIUM - 05 SEP 2025

Download our mobile app for a more immersive reading experience

Scan QR code
mobile download