The World Financial institution stated it expects Nigeria’s economic system to develop at 4.4% in each 2026 and 2027, marking what it described because the nation’s quickest progress tempo in over a decade.
Based on the Financial institution’s International Financial Prospects report launched in January 2026, whereas it retained Nigeria’s 2027 financial progress forecast at 4.4%, it additionally upgraded Nigeria’s 2026 progress estimate to 4.4%, up from the three.7% forecast contained in its June 2025 International Financial Prospects report.
The event reveals sustained optimism in regards to the nation’s medium-term outlook, whereas additionally reflecting bettering macroeconomics regardless of lingering structural challenges.
That is because the nation’s Gross Home Product (GDP) grew by 3.46% year-on-year in actual phrases through the third quarter of 2025, in line with the most recent report from the Nationwide Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
Based on the WB report, the growth can be pushed primarily by sustained progress within the companies sector, a rebound in agricultural manufacturing, and a modest acceleration in non-oil industrial actions.
“Development in Nigeria is forecast to strengthen to 4.4 per cent in each 2026 and 2027—the quickest tempo in over a decade,” the financial institution famous.
The Financial institution added that continued growth in companies and improved agricultural output would stay the important thing pillars supporting financial efficiency over the forecast interval.
The World Financial institution famous that ongoing financial reforms—significantly inside the tax system—mixed with prudent financial coverage, are anticipated to help financial exercise and strengthen macroeconomic stability.
“Financial reforms, together with within the tax system, together with continued prudent financial coverage, are anticipated to proceed supporting exercise.”
These coverage measures, the Financial institution stated, ought to assist to “enhance investor sentiment and scale back inflation additional. Increased oil output is predicted to offset decrease worldwide oil costs this yr, serving to to spice up fiscal revenues and strengthen the exterior steadiness,” the World Financial institution stated.
The sustained emphasis on non-oil progress highlights the gradual affect of Nigeria’s financial diversification efforts geared toward decreasing reliance on crude oil exports.
A stronger companies sector and improved agricultural output may assist create jobs, stabilise costs, and broaden the federal government’s income base over time.
For traders and policymakers, the World Financial institution’s forecast supplies a measure of confidence that current reforms could start to yield tangible outcomes, even because the nation continues to navigate financial vulnerabilities.
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On progress in Sub-Saharan Africa, the worldwide Financial institution stated it is going to strengthen to 4.3% in 2026, supported by financial reforms, resilient home funding, and easing inflation throughout the area.
Globally, it expects the economies to stay resilient, with progress easing barely to 2.6% in 2026 earlier than rising to 2.7% in 2027—an upward revision from its June forecast.
The improved international outlook displays moderating inflation, stabilising monetary situations, and stronger-than-expected efficiency in a number of rising and growing economies, at the same time as geopolitical and climate-related dangers stay elevated.

