The United Kingdom has announced a £15 million Growth Programme for Nigeria, a strategic initiative aimed at accelerating economic reforms, attracting private investment, and supporting long-term sustainable growth across key sectors of the Nigerian economy. The programme was unveiled during a high-level visit to Nigeria by the UK Minister for Africa and International Development, Baroness Jenny Chapman.
According to the British High Commission in Abuja, the three-year initiative is designed to help Nigeria move beyond short-term macroeconomic stabilisation into a more sustained phase of investment-led economic expansion. The announcement followed discussions between Baroness Chapman and Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, focusing on reform-driven growth and capital mobilisation.
Nigeria’s government described the partnership as a critical step in strengthening bilateral economic ties. Oyedele noted that the programme would support capital market development, fintech innovation, small and medium-sized enterprises, and technical assistance aimed at improving economic efficiency and investor confidence. Both countries also agreed to deepen cooperation in the digital economy through initiatives linked to the UK’s Digital Access Programme.
Beyond the economic framework, discussions expanded into trade, investment, and infrastructure development. Meetings with Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, explored opportunities under the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP), while engagements in Kaduna State focused on long-standing UK development support, climate finance, and private sector investment mobilisation.
At the end of the visit, Baroness Chapman reaffirmed the strength of UK–Nigeria relations, describing the partnership as “deep, real, and moving in the right direction.” The UK government also highlighted that the initiative builds on nearly $800 million already invested through British International Investment, alongside major infrastructure financing such as the $1 billion Lagos ports rehabilitation supported by UK Export Finance.
source: nairametrics