Nigeria to ease interest rates as inflation slows and credit squeeze deepens

• Nigeria’s central bank expected to cut interest rate for the first time under Cardoso
• Easing inflation and stable naira seen creating room to loosen monetary policy

LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigeria’s central bank is widely expected to make a modest cut to its benchmark interest rate on Tuesday (July 22), as analysts say three consecutive months of easing inflation have set the stage for the country’s first rate cut in two years.