The Federal Government has announced a strategic shift from direct economic intervention to a capital de-risking and private sector-driven growth framework under its 2026 Growth Acceleration and Investment Mobilisation Strategy.

The new policy direction was disclosed in a statement issued by the Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, who explained that the strategy is designed to unlock substantial domestic and foreign private capital by reducing investment risks, eliminating policy distortions and strengthening execution discipline across critical sectors of the economy.

Uzoka-Anite stated that the government is deliberately moving away from a focus on macroeconomic stabilisation towards sustained economic expansion anchored on private investment rather than public spending.

“Our focus is to move decisively from stabilisation to growth. The reforms underway are designed to lower risk, unlock private capital, and ensure that Nigeria delivers sustainable returns for investors while expanding opportunity for our citizens. Going forward, the government’s focus will be to scale output, deepen domestic value creation, and place the economy on a credible path toward a $1tn GDP by mobilising private capital rather than relying on direct intervention,” she said.

The Ministry of Finance noted that the strategy builds on reforms carried out over the past 24 months, including exchange rate unification, energy market restructuring and fiscal consolidation, marking Nigeria’s transition from economic stabilisation to expansion.

The ministry explained that government intervention under the new framework would prioritise the creation of a predictable macroeconomic environment, the removal of regulatory and price-control barriers, and the deployment of blended finance, guarantees and credit enhancements to attract private investment rather than relying on direct public expenditure.

Under the plan, the Federal Government will implement a sector-led growth strategy anchored on a “willing buyer, willing seller” framework, with the removal of price controls and market access restrictions to stimulate capital inflows and entrepreneurial activity.

The priority sectors identified under the strategy include energy and gas-based industrialisation, agribusiness, manufacturing, housing and urban infrastructure, healthcare, digital services, creative industries, logistics and solid minerals.

The ministry further stated that Development Finance Institutions would play a central role in de-risking investments, mobilising long-term capital and anchoring investor confidence. Domestic DFIs, including the Bank of Industry and the Nigerian Export-Import Bank, are expected to support financing and risk-sharing frameworks across the priority sectors.

It stated, “Strategic Role of Development Finance Institutions: The Federal Ministry of Finance will take over the development finance quasi-fiscal responsibility of the CBN and will develop a comprehensive guideline for implementing a ‘go forward’ development finance strategy. Development Finance Institutions will play a critical and catalytic role in the successful execution of Nigeria’s Growth Acceleration and Investment Mobilisation Strategy.

“Given the scale of Nigeria’s growth ambition and the need to crowd in long-term, patient capital estimated at ~N246tn through 2036, the Federal Government recognises DFIs as essential partners in de-risking priority sectors, anchoring private sector investor confidence, and mobilising large volumes of private capital at scale.

“DFIs bring a unique combination of long-tenor financing, concessional instruments, technical expertise, and risk-sharing capacity that is critical to unlocking investment in sectors where market failures persist despite strong fundamentals. These include infrastructure, energy transition, agribusiness value chains, healthcare, climate-resilient industries, and digital public infrastructure.”

Uzoka-Anite added that domestic DFIs, including BOI and NEXIM Bank, would anchor financing and risk-sharing frameworks across priority sectors and serve as key policy execution tools.

She said the Federal Government plans to strengthen the institutions through improved capitalisation and balance sheet capacity, mandate and governance reforms, expanded risk-sharing and credit enhancement powers, and closer alignment with the Ministry of Finance, including treasury support and sovereign guarantees where applicable.

“The FMF will continue to work in close partnership with bilateral, multilateral, and regional Development Finance Institutions to deploy risk-mitigating and investment-enabling capital that improves project bankability and accelerates financial close; mobilise domestic and international private capital through blended finance, guarantees, and co-investment structures; support project preparation, structuring, and pipeline development to shorten time-to-execution and improve investment readiness; and strengthen institutional and delivery capacity across ministries, departments, agencies, and sub-national governments, while aligning financing with climate resilience, financial inclusion, and sustainability objectives, consistent with global development standards,” the minister said.

The Federal Government also disclosed plans to deepen financial inclusion and expand consumer credit by collaborating with the Central Bank of Nigeria, commercial banks, microfinance institutions and fintech firms to improve access to affordable credit for households, microenterprises and participants in the informal sector.

“To ensure that growth is broad-based and that capital reaches the last mile of the economy, the Federal Government will prioritise the expansion of consumer credit and financial inclusion as a core pillar of its growth strategy. Deepening access to affordable credit for households, microenterprises, and informal sector participants will support domestic demand, improve productivity, and translate macroeconomic reforms into tangible welfare gains.

“We will deepen product design, regulatory and go-to-market partnerships with CBN, commercial banks, microfinance institutions, fintechs, and credit guarantee schemes. That will enable the market to deploy innovative, targeted risk-sharing instruments, wholesale funding lines, and digital credit infrastructure to expand responsible consumer lending on an industrial scale. Emphasis will be placed on enabling, qualifying and supporting responsible use of credit among first-time borrowers, women- and youth-led enterprises, and underserved communities. In partnership with well-regulated market participants, we will seek to build a non-inflationary, repayable rising tide,” she said.