Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The World Bank Group says it is helping Nigeria mobilise up to $5.79 billion in private-sector financing in the 2026 fiscal year, targeting investments in broadband infrastructure, agriculture, telecommunications and small businesses.
The global financial institution disclosed this in a feature published on October 11, 2026, titled “Unlocking $5.79 Billion in Private Financing: The World Bank Group Is Leading the Charge for Private Capital Mobilization in Nigeria.”
According to the institution, the initiative combines investment projects, policy reforms, commercial lending and guarantees to attract private investors into sectors considered critical to Nigeria’s economic growth.
The World Bank Group said reforms introduced since mid-2023 to improve foreign-exchange management, strengthen public finances and reform fuel subsidies were helping create more predictable conditions for investment.
It added that further reforms would focus on deepening capital markets, expanding digital trade, encouraging private-sector participation in electricity and improving Nigeria’s competitiveness.
One of the major areas of intervention is small-business financing through the Fostering Inclusive Finance for MSMEs in Nigeria programme, known as FINCLUDE.
The programme is designed to expand access to finance for more than 250,000 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, with 30 per cent of financing targeted at women-led businesses.
The World Bank Group said the programme is expected to mobilise nearly $1.89 billion in private financing and support approximately 850,000 direct and indirect jobs.
In digital infrastructure, the Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth project is expected to attract private investment for a nationwide open-access fibre-optic network.
The first round of investor selection is expected to mobilise at least $156 million in private equity, while subsequent financing rounds could unlock up to $1.1 billion in private investment by 2030.
The project aims to extend affordable broadband access to an additional 58 million people by 2030, taking the number of people covered from 92 million in 2025 to 150 million.
Agriculture is another major focus. Through its Agricultural Value Chains for Growth project, the institution aims to reach one million smallholder farmers by improving access to quality seeds, fertilisers, digital services and markets.
The project is expected to attract approximately $220 million from agribusiness firms and another $22 million from certified seed producers.
The World Bank Group also highlighted financing arrangements supporting domestic fertiliser production and telecommunications infrastructure, saying such investments could reduce dependence on imported agricultural inputs and help expand connectivity.
It explained that the initiative brings together different arms of the group: the World Bank supports reforms and development projects, the International Finance Corporation helps structure investments and mobilise commercial capital, while the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency provides guarantees to reduce investment risks.
The institution said the approach is intended to use public resources and policy reforms to attract larger pools of private investment, particularly in sectors where financing gaps have limited growth.
However, the $5.79 billion target represents private financing the group is helping to mobilise, rather than a single new loan or grant to the Nigerian government.
The ultimate impact will depend on how effectively the investments translate into improved infrastructure, expanded access to finance, stronger agricultural productivity and sustainable employment opportunities.
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