The World Bank has lifted Nigeria’s economic growth outlook, projecting that the economy will expand by 4.4 percent in 2026 and again in 2027, marking the fastest pace of growth in more than a decade, according to its latest Global Economic Prospects report.
In its January 2026 update, the Bretton Woods institution also revised Nigeria’s 2025 growth estimate to 4.2 percent, up from an earlier forecast of 3.6–3.7 percent, reflecting stronger-than-expected performance and improving domestic conditions.
The upward revision reflects a combination of factors that include macroeconomic reforms, improved investor confidence, stabilising foreign exchange conditions and resilient demand in key sectors. Nigeria’s services sector, in particular, continues to play a dominant role in economic expansion, supported by growth in financial services, telecoms and non-oil industries.
The World Bank also raised global growth projections for 2026 to 2.6 percent, from an earlier forecast of 2.4 percent, citing greater-than-expected resilience in advanced economies, notably the United States.
While the outlook is positive, the Bank cautioned that inflationary pressures, fiscal constraints and structural challenges remain risks to sustained expansion and inclusive growth.
The revised forecasts are likely to influence investor sentiment, government planning and market expectations, particularly as Nigeria aims to draw more foreign capital and accelerate private sector-led growth.