The World Bank Group has announced plans to mobilise up to $5.79 billion in private financing to support Nigeria's economic transformation, infrastructure expansion, and job creation. This initiative is outlined in a report titled "Unlocking $5.79 Billion in Private Financing," which highlights the bank's efforts to address Nigeria's development challenges through coordinated public-sector reforms and private investment. The report was published on Sunday, October 12, 2026.
According to the World Bank, Nigeria's economic reforms since mid-2023 have created more predictable conditions for investment, particularly in foreign-exchange management and public-finance measures. The bank identified the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) as key partners in mobilising private capital for Nigeria's development. IFC supports investment structuring and commercial financing, while MIGA provides guarantees to reduce risks confronting investors.
The World Bank's initiative combines policy reforms, investment platforms, commercial financing, and risk-mitigation instruments to attract capital into productive sectors. One major initiative is the Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth (BRIDGE) Project, which is expected to attract substantial private investment. The project's initial investor-selection process is expected to mobilise at least $156 million in private equity, with subsequent financing rounds potentially unlocking up to $1.1 billion in private investment by 2030.
The BRIDGE Project aims to extend affordable broadband access to an additional 58 million Nigerians by 2030, increasing broadband coverage from 92 million people in 2025 to approximately 150 million by the end of the decade. The beneficiaries are expected to include 42 million additional young people and 15 million women, alongside thousands of schools and healthcare facilities. The infrastructure programme will also connect 38,800 public schools, 16,900 health facilities, and 3,400 local government offices.
The World Bank's Fostering Inclusive Finance for MSMEs in Nigeria programme, known as FINCLUDE, is another major intervention. The programme is expected to mobilise nearly $1.89 billion in private financing and support approximately 850,000 direct and indirect jobs. FINCLUDE targets more than 250,000 micro, small, and medium enterprises, with particular attention to businesses operating in employment-intensive sectors.
In the agriculture sector, the World Bank's Agricultural Value Chains for Growth Project will support approximately one million smallholder farmers. The programme is expected to attract about $220 million from agribusiness companies and another $22 million from certified seed producers. Additionally, the bank highlighted IFC-supported financing arrangements involving Dangote Industries Limited and Indorama Fertilizer to strengthen Nigeria's domestic fertiliser production.
The World Bank stressed that the $5.79 billion represents financing already mobilised alongside anticipated investment, rather than a newly approved loan or grant. The institution said the ultimate measure of success would be the resulting improvements in employment, infrastructure, agricultural productivity, and economic opportunities for Nigerians. The bank maintains that coordinated investments in digital connectivity, agriculture, and business financing could strengthen productivity and support private-sector-led economic growth.
Key points
- The World Bank's initiative aims to create 850,000 jobs and accelerate Nigeria's economic transformation through $5.79 billion in private financing.
- The initiative combines policy reforms, investment platforms, commercial financing, and risk-mitigation instruments to attract capital into productive sectors.
- The programme targets various sectors, including agriculture, telecommunications, and small businesses, to support Nigeria's development challenges.
