The Federal Government of Nigeria has formally expressed its commitment to reducing the nation’s reliance on external debt financing as part of a broader economic strategy to explore alternative funding sources.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, conveyed this position during a meeting with the World Bank Executive Director, Dr. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed. He emphasized the government’s focus on fostering a business-friendly environment that encourages sustainable investments and drives private sector-led economic growth.
Dr. Ahmed, who previously served as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, commended the country’s recent macroeconomic reforms, highlighting their positive impact on fiscal stability and investor confidence. She also noted the World Bank’s expanded lending capacity following recent financial reforms, which have unlocked an additional $150 billion in funding over the next decade.
Discussions during the meeting also covered Nigeria’s involvement in Mission 300, a World Bank initiative aimed at providing electricity access to 300 million Africans. Minister Edun reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the program, stressing the importance of power sector improvements in driving industrial expansion, enhancing private sector competitiveness, and supporting overall economic growth.
Furthermore, the Minister assured the World Bank of President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to strengthening Nigeria’s economic foundation by reducing dependency on external borrowing and prioritizing private sector investments for sustainable long-term development.
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