The World Bank Group is helping mobilise up to $5.79 billion in private financing for Nigeria in the 2026 fiscal year, with one of its major programmes expected to support approximately 850,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The initiative is designed to attract private investment into key sectors of the Nigerian economy, including agriculture, digital infrastructure and small-business development, as part of efforts to stimulate economic growth and expand employment opportunities.
According to a report published by the World Bank Group, the financing drive combines policy reforms, investment platforms, commercial financing and risk-sharing mechanisms to encourage private investors to support projects that can improve productivity and create jobs.
One of the major programmes highlighted is the Fostering Inclusive Finance for MSMEs in Nigeria (FINCLUDE), which aims to expand access to finance for more than 250,000 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
The programme combines a $500 million financing package from the World Bank’s International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and International Development Association with risk-sharing mechanisms designed to encourage financial institutions and other investors to provide additional funding to businesses.
FINCLUDE is expected to mobilise nearly $1.89 billion in private financing and support approximately 850,000 direct and indirect jobs. About 30 per cent of its financing is targeted at women-led businesses.
The World Bank Group is also supporting Nigeria’s digital infrastructure through the Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth (BRIDGE) Project, which aims to expand access to affordable broadband internet through a public-private partnership.
The project is expected to attract up to $1.1 billion in private investment by 2030 and extend broadband access to an additional 58 million people. It also aims to connect thousands of public schools, healthcare facilities and local government offices to high-speed internet.
In agriculture, the Agricultural Value Chains for Growth (AGROW) Project seeks to improve access to quality seeds, fertilisers, digital services and markets for smallholder farmers. The initiative targets one million farmers, including women and young people, while encouraging private investment in agricultural value chains.
The World Bank Group said its approach involves using policy reforms and development financing to reduce investment risks and attract private capital into sectors with significant potential for economic growth.
The institution’s broader strategy is to strengthen the role of private businesses in creating employment, improving infrastructure and expanding economic opportunities.
However, the projected financing and job figures represent expected outcomes of the investment programmes, rather than a guarantee that all the anticipated jobs have already been created.
The initiative forms part of wider efforts to address Nigeria’s infrastructure and business financing gaps while supporting a more productive and private sector-driven economy.
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