Nigeria Hosts World Bank Talks to Drive Jobs, Investment and Economic Growth

Nigeria is hosting senior World Bank officials this week as part of renewed efforts to accelerate economic growth, attract investment, and create jobs across the country. World Bank Managing Director of Operations, Anna Bjerde, arrived in Nigeria for a three-day visit aimed at deepening engagement with government, private sector leaders, and civil society stakeholders.

According to a statement issued on Sunday, the visit, which began on February 1, 2026, is focused on shaping the World Bank Group’s forthcoming Country Partnership Framework for Nigeria. The strategy places strong emphasis on job creation, expanded energy access, and private-sector-led growth as core pillars of Nigeria’s development agenda.

Discussions during the visit are expected to gather feedback on improving Nigeria’s business environment, unlocking human capital, strengthening economic resilience, and maximising private capital. The World Bank said these consultations are critical to ensuring its support aligns with Nigeria’s reform priorities and long-term growth objectives.

The visit also highlights Nigeria’s role in major global development initiatives, including Mission 300 — a joint programme by the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030. Under this initiative, Nigeria’s renewable energy scale-up programme is projected to provide household electricity access to about 17.5 million people through mini-grids and solar home systems.

During her stay, Bjerde is scheduled to meet Vice President Kashim Shettima, Finance Minister Wale Edun, Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso, and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The World Bank noted that its active portfolio in Nigeria exceeds $16bn, while the IFC’s investments stand at over $1.2bn, reinforcing Nigeria’s position as a key partner in Africa’s development and investment landscape

source: punch