The World Bank’s Managing Director of Operations, Anna Bjerde, is visiting Nigeria for a three-day mission focused on enhancing economic growth and employment opportunities. Beginning on February 1, 2026, her visit aims to deepen collaboration with Nigerian authorities and stakeholders ahead of the World Bank Group’s new Country Partnership Framework for the country. The framework will guide the Bank’s engagement in supporting Nigeria’s development priorities over the coming years.
During her visit, Bjerde will meet with top government officials, business leaders, and representatives of civil society to discuss strategies for boosting private-sector growth, improving the business environment, and harnessing human capital. Key discussion points include promoting job creation, strengthening resilience, and mobilising private investment to accelerate sustainable development.
The visit will also highlight Nigeria’s participation in global development initiatives, such as Mission 300, a joint World Bank and African Development Bank programme aimed at connecting 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030. In Nigeria, this includes the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up initiative, which is expected to provide energy access to around 17.5 million households using solar home systems and mini-grids, helping to expand reliable electricity to underserved communities.
Energy, digital connectivity, social protection, and agricultural development are other areas of focus. The Bank is paying particular attention to initiatives like AgriConnect, which aims to transform smallholder farming into a commercially viable sector, creating jobs, increasing farmers’ incomes, and enhancing food security across the country.
Bjerde is scheduled to meet Vice President Kashim Shettima, Finance Minister Wale Edun, Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso, and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. She will be joined by senior World Bank officials, including Ousmane Diagana, Ethiopis Tafara, and Ed Mountfield, underscoring the high-level engagement of the Bank.
The World Bank’s portfolio in Nigeria currently exceeds $16 billion, covering health, education, infrastructure, energy, and social protection. The IFC’s investments total over $1.2 billion, focusing on sectors such as manufacturing, agribusiness, and energy. Nigeria’s external debt is $46.98 billion, with the World Bank Group representing $19.39 billion, highlighting its role as a key development partner.
Bjerde’s visit reinforces the Bank’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s economic reforms, promoting private-sector-led growth, and generating employment opportunities for the country’s population.
