World Bank Group is targeting up to $5.79 billion in private financing for Nigeria in fiscal year 2026 to support small businesses, expand broadband access and strengthen agricultural production.

This was contained in a feature titled “Unlocking $5.79 Billion in Private Financing,” which detailed the group’s strategy of combining policy reforms, investment programmes and private-sector funding to attract capital into sectors facing infrastructure and financing constraints.

A major component is the Fostering Inclusive Finance for MSMEs in Nigeria programme (FINCLUDE), which is expected to attract nearly $1.89 billion in private financing and support about 850,000 direct and indirect jobs.

The programme aims to expand access to finance for more than 250,000 micro, small and medium enterprises, with women-led businesses expected to receive 30 per cent of the financing.

A $500 million package from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association will combine financing and risk-sharing tools to encourage lending to underserved businesses.

In digital infrastructure, the Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth (BRIDGE) Project is expected to attract at least $156 million in private equity in its first investor selection round, with subsequent financing rounds potentially unlocking up to $1.1 billion by 2030.

The project aims to extend affordable broadband access to an additional 58 million people, increasing coverage from 92 million in 2025 to 150 million by 2030. It also plans to connect 38,800 public schools, 16,900 health facilities and 3,400 local government offices to high-speed internet.

In agriculture, the Agricultural Value Chains for Growth (AGROW) Project targets one million smallholder farmers, including women and young people. It is expected to mobilise about $220 million from agribusiness firms and another $22 million from certified seed producers to strengthen seed and fertiliser supply, digital services and access to markets.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank Group’s private-sector financing arm, is also supporting domestic fertiliser production through investments in Dangote Industries Limited and Indorama Fertiliser.