KEY POINTS

• World Bank says its active development projects and lending in Nigeria now exceed $16 billion across key sectors.

• Managing Director Anna Bjerde is in Nigeria to discuss a new partnership framework focused on jobs, energy and private-sector growth.

• Lagos State signals readiness to deepen collaboration with the Bank on infrastructure, energy, agriculture and human capital.

The World Bank has disclosed that its total development projects and lending operations in Nigeria are now valued at more than $16 billion, spanning critical sectors such as education, health, social protection, energy and infrastructure.

The disclosure was made in a statement issued on Sunday as Anna Bjerde, the World Bank’s Managing Director of Operations, commenced a three-day visit to Nigeria. The visit is aimed at strengthening engagement with Nigerian authorities and identifying areas where the Bank can further support economic growth and job creation.

According to the World Bank, Bjerde is leading a high-level delegation that includes Ethiopis Tafara, Vice-President for Africa at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private-sector arm of the World Bank Group.

Talks to Shape New Partnership Framework

The Bank said the visit will feature extensive consultations on its forthcoming Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Nigeria, a strategic document that will guide World Bank engagement with the country in the coming years.

The proposed framework places job creation, expanded energy access and private-sector-led growth at the centre of Nigeria’s development agenda.

“In Nigeria, the World Bank provides large-scale concessional financing for development programmes at both the federal and state levels, with an active portfolio of over US$16 billion spread across several interventions ranging from education, health, social protection, energy, and infrastructure,” the statement said.

Stakeholder consultations during the visit will seek feedback on four priority areas: improving the enabling environment, unleashing human capital, building resilience, and maximising private capital mobilisation.

Spotlight on Energy Access and Agriculture

The World Bank said discussions will also highlight Nigeria’s role in advancing global development initiatives, including Mission 300, under which the Nigeria Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) programme targets connecting 17.5 million people to household electricity.

Another flagship initiative is AgriConnect, which aims to transform smallholder farming into a commercially viable engine for job creation, higher incomes and improved food security.

Beyond energy and agriculture, the Bank noted that digital connectivity, power sector reforms, social protection and broader human capital outcomes will form key parts of the engagement.

During a meeting with the World Bank delegation, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the state is eager to deepen collaboration with the institution in areas such as energy, agriculture, tourism and human capital development.

Sanwo-Olu said Lagos remains open to investment partnerships that can strengthen infrastructure and raise living standards for residents.

“Lagos is ready to do more to attract investments and partnerships that will positively impact our people,” the governor said. “We are open to collaboration that strengthens infrastructure and accelerates inclusive growth.”

He also expressed the state’s willingness to meet conditions required to attract additional World Bank support, particularly for large-scale infrastructure development.