The World Bank Group mobilised about $22 billion in private capital for African economies in its 2026 financial year, up from about $9 billion in 2022, as the institution expands efforts to bring more private investment into developing economies.
Globally, private capital mobilised by the World Bank Group rose to $112 billion in fiscal 2026 from $35 billion in fiscal 2022, representing more than a threefold increase, according to the World Bank Group in a statement released on Thursday, September 17, 2026. The African figure increased by nearly 150 per cent over the same period.
For Nigeria, the World Bank Group’s focus includes creating more private-sector jobs, improving the business environment and increasing private capital for infrastructure and agribusiness under its Country Partnership Framework for fiscal years 2026 to 2032.
The framework was approved by the World Bank’s Board on June 29, 2026. It is built around four areas, including improving competitiveness and growth, maximising private capital for infrastructure and agribusiness, improving productivity and strengthening resilience.
Mathew Verghis, World Bank Division Director for Nigeria, said the framework would guide the institution’s support for the country, with private-sector-led job creation as a major focus.
The World Bank Group also approved $1.25 billion in financing for Nigeria under the Nigeria Actions for Investment and Jobs Acceleration (NAIJA) Development Policy Financing programme on June 29, 2026. The financing consists of two operations of $500 million and $750 million.
World Bank documents show that the NAIJA programme supports reforms linked to investment, financial markets, the digital economy, energy, agriculture, trade and domestic revenue mobilisation.
The World Bank Group said the rise in private capital mobilisation is aimed at helping developing economies close financing gaps while supporting investment and job creation.
It said the increase was part of wider changes within the group to make it faster and simpler to work with the private sector and expand the tools available to investors.
For Nigeria, the new country partnership framework and the $1.25 billion NAIJA financing place private investment and job creation at the centre of the World Bank Group’s support for the economy. The key issue will be how far the reforms translate into increased investment, stronger businesses and more jobs.
