- The World Bank is intensifying engagement with Nigeria to help translate ongoing economic reforms into faster growth, expanded energy access and large-scale job creation.
- The discussions centre on a new Country Partnership Framework prioritising private sector-led growth, human capital and infrastructure development.
The Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank Group, Anna Bjerde, has begun a three-day visit to Nigeria. The visit supports Nigeria’s push to turn economic reforms into faster growth, wider energy access and large-scale job creation.
The visit started on Sunday, February 1, 2026. It comes as the Federal Government works to stabilise the macroeconomy, attract private capital and improve productivity across key sectors.
At the centre of Bjerde’s visit are consultations on the World Bank’s upcoming Country Partnership Framework for Nigeria. The framework will prioritise job creation, expanded energy access and private sector-led growth.
During the visit, Bjerde will meet senior government officials, private sector leaders and civil society groups. These meetings will gather input across four key areas. These areas include improving the business environment, strengthening human capital, building economic and social resilience and mobilising private capital.
The World Bank said discussions will focus on reforms in power, agriculture, digital infrastructure and financial markets. These reforms aim to accelerate job creation and support inclusive growth. This focus is important as Nigeria faces high unemployment and rising living costs.
Nigeria’s role in advancing global development priorities will also feature strongly in the discussions.
Major programmes will undergo review, including Mission 300. The programme is a joint initiative of the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank Group. It aims to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030.
Officials will also review Nigeria’s $750 million Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up project. The DARES programme aims to provide clean and reliable electricity to more than 17.5 million Nigerians through mini-grids and solar home systems.
In addition, agriculture and food security will remain key priorities. The AgriConnect initiative aims to turn smallholder farming into a strong source of jobs, higher incomes and export growth.
Officials will also assess progress in power sector reforms, digital connectivity, social protection systems and human capital development.
During the visit, Bjerde will meet Vice President Kashim Shettima, Finance Minister Wale Edun, Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
She is travelling with senior World Bank leaders. The delegation includes Ousmane Diagana, Ethiopis Tafara of the International Finance Corporation, and Ed Mountfield of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency. Their presence shows the Group’s coordinated approach to development finance and private investment.
Nigeria currently holds an active World Bank portfolio worth over $16 billion. These funds support projects in education, health, social protection, energy and infrastructure across federal and state levels.
Meanwhile, the International Finance Corporation has investment exposure in Nigeria of more than $1.2 billion. These investments focus on energy access, MSME financing, agribusiness, manufacturing and job creation.
Overall, the visit shows strong international support for Nigeria’s reform agenda. At the same time, stakeholders expect clear results in growth, employment and living standards.