The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has unveiled a transformative five-year Country Strategy Paper (2025–2030) for Nigeria, committing approximately $650 million annually to stimulate inclusive economic growth, build climate-resilient infrastructure, and enhance industrial competitiveness.

In an official announcement, the Bank disclosed that the strategy will inject $2.95 billion into Nigeria’s economy over the first four years, with an additional $3.21 billion expected in co-financing support from development partners. The investment aims to bridge Nigeria’s significant infrastructure gap, promote gender-inclusive and youth-driven green industrialization, and support sustainable economic resilience.

The strategy targets two critical priority areas:

Promoting sustainable, climate-smart infrastructure to boost competitiveness and drive industrial development.
Advancing gender and youth-inclusive green growth, particularly through agriculture and industrial value chains.

According to the AfDB, Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit—estimated at $2.3 trillion from 2020 to 2043—requires coordinated investment in power, clean water systems, road networks, and climate-adaptive agribusinesses. The Bank’s interventions will focus on building climate-resilient infrastructure, expanding electricity access, enhancing transportation systems, and strengthening market access for farmers and SMEs.

The strategy is expected to significantly contribute to Nigeria’s ambitions of growing its GDP to $1 trillion while creating an estimated 1.56 million jobs, with a strong emphasis on inclusion, particularly for women and youth.

Aligned with key national blueprints such as Agenda 2050, the National Development Plan (2021–2025), and the Renewed Hope Agenda (2023), the Country Strategy Paper also supports Nigeria’s efforts to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) through expanded access to energy, efficient supply chains, and improved trade infrastructure.

Commenting on the strategy, Abdul Kamara, Director General of AfDB’s Nigeria Office, stated:

“This strategy elevates the Bank’s partnership with Nigeria to a transformative level. By investing in sustainable infrastructure and inclusive agricultural growth, we are creating the foundation for lasting prosperity and shared economic opportunities for millions of Nigerians.”

Under the new strategy, millions—including women entrepreneurs, youth, MSMEs, rural communities, and sub-national governments—will benefit from enhanced access to finance, compliance training, business incubation, and regulatory support tools. Key initiatives such as the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) will provide targeted capital access and support structures for women-led businesses, while skills development programs will empower youth to address systemic unemployment.

The AfDB emphasized that this strategy is not only about economic stimulation but also about building regulatory resilience and promoting governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) in infrastructure delivery and agricultural systems. By embedding compliance analytics, risk mitigation, and regulatory technology solutions, the plan aims to tackle challenges such as climate shocks, farmer-herder conflicts, and fragmented supply chains.

As the Bank intensifies its support for member countries navigating complex regulatory environments, the Nigeria strategy reflects a commitment to compliance-driven development, regulatory intelligence, and inclusive growth models that scale sustainably and equitably.