Nigeria is seeking lower borrowing costs, stronger investor support and fairer global financial conditions at the 2026 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in Washington, DC this week.
In a media brief ahead of the meetings, Finance Minister Wale Edun said Nigeria would use the forum to seek support for its economic transition amid rising global uncertainty and domestic pressures.
He said the meetings come amid global market strain driven by Middle East tensions, which have disrupted energy supply, tightened financial conditions and heightened inflation risks. In Nigeria, this has led to rising fuel and food prices, putting pressure on households and businesses.
Amid these developments, the Federal Government said its priority at the meetings would be to secure measures that ease fiscal pressures and support growth. Central to this is a call for lower cost of capital for developing countries, improved access to financing and global financial conditions that are less punitive to reforming economies.
Edun affirmed that Nigeria is undergoing economic adjustments while also dealing with external shocks, making it necessary for development partners to provide additional support. The government is particularly concerned about inflation and its effect on living costs, as well as the broader challenge of lifting millions out of poverty.
Also, the minister is expected to engage global investors, ratings agencies and development finance institutions to attract capital into the country. Officials said these engagements are aimed at strengthening investor confidence and positioning Nigeria as a viable destination for long-term investment.
Therefore, Nigeria will also push the narrative that its ongoing reforms have improved macroeconomic stability and strengthened its capacity to withstand external shocks. Key reforms highlighted include subsidy removal, foreign exchange market liberalisation and efforts to boost oil production and revenues.
The government argued that while Nigeria is not insulated from global shocks, it is now better positioned to manage them. It noted that recent policy steps are focused on stabilising the economy, maintaining liquidity and supporting production.
Beyond stabilisation, Nigeria is shifting its focus to growth, aiming to scale private investment, deepen domestic capital markets and drive job creation, while leveraging regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area to expand opportunities.
