BII Targets £9 Billion Investment Push to Boost Nigeria and African Economies

The British International Investment (BII), the United Kingdom’s development finance institution and impact investor, has announced a new five-year strategy aimed at mobilising £9 billion in fresh capital into Nigeria and other African countries. The initiative is designed to stimulate economic growth and attract more private sector participation across the continent.

Under the plan, BII will directly contribute nearly £5 billion, while the remaining funding is expected to come from private investors within Africa and around the world. The institution says it will use its long-standing experience, partnerships, and risk-taking capacity to unlock investment in regions and sectors where access to capital has remained limited.

A key focus of the strategy is expanding investment into frontier markets and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), with at least 25 per cent of new investments earmarked for these economies. According to BII, these regions are home to over a billion people but continue to face significant barriers that discourage private investment despite high development needs.

The organisation also plans to concentrate its efforts on select African markets, combining financial investments with policy support, technical assistance, and partnerships. Priority sectors include financial services, energy, transport, digital infrastructure, trade, and sustainable industries—areas seen as critical for long-term economic transformation.

Speaking on the initiative, BII Managing Director for Africa, Chris Chijiutomi, said the strategy builds on decades of experience investing across the continent. He noted that the institution aims to focus on high-impact sectors and frontier markets where its capital and expertise can help unlock meaningful growth, while UK Development Minister Jenny Chapman highlighted the importance of international finance and policy collaboration in driving job creation and economic reform.

source: The Guardian