The World Bank Group says it is helping mobilise up to $5.79bn in private-sector financing for Nigeria in the 2026 fiscal year, with one of its major programmes expected to create about 850,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The institution disclosed this in a feature titled Unlocking $5.79 Billion in Private Financing, which highlights investments and financing initiatives spanning digital infrastructure, agriculture, telecommunications and small-business development.
The initiative combines policy reforms, investment platforms, commercial financing and risk-mitigation instruments to attract private capital into sectors considered vital to Nigeria’s economic growth.
Through the Broadband Infrastructure Development Project, the World Bank Group plans to extend affordable broadband access to an additional 58 million people in Nigeria by 2030.
The initiative aims to expand broadband coverage from 92 million people in 2025 to 150 million by 2030. Its first round of investor selection is expected to attract at least $156m in private equity, while subsequent rounds could unlock up to $1.1bn by 2030.
The project is also expected to connect 38,800 public schools, 16,900 health facilities and 3,400 local government offices. The expanded broadband access is projected to benefit an additional 42 million young people and 15 million women.
Meanwhile, the Financial Inclusion for Nigeria programme is expected to mobilise nearly $1.89bn in private financing and support about 850,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The programme targets more than 250,000 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises operating in employment-intensive sectors.
It includes a $500m financing package combining resources from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association.
The Agricultural Value Chains for Growth Project, under the World Bank Group’s AgriConnect initiative, aims to support one million smallholder farmers, including women and young people.
The project is expected to mobilise $220m in investments from agribusiness companies and a further $22m from certified seed producers to strengthen agricultural value chains and improve farmers’ access to essential production inputs.
At least 30 per cent of the financing is earmarked for women-led businesses, with the initiative seeking to improve access to funding for smaller enterprises and promote job creation.
