IMF Raises Nigeria’s 2026 Growth Forecast to 4.4%
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised Nigeria’s economic growth forecast for 2026 upward to 4.4 per cent.
The Bretton Woods institution increased the projection from an earlier estimate of 4.2 per cent, according to its World Economic Outlook (WEO) released on Monday. The fund, however, expects Nigeria’s growth to ease slightly to 4.1 per cent in 2027.
The IMF also projected that sub-Saharan Africa’s economy will grow by 4.4 per cent in 2026.
Globally, the fund said economic growth is expected to reach 3.3 per cent this year, before slowing marginally to 3.2 per cent in 2027. It noted that the latest global forecast represents an upward revision from its October 2025 projection of 3.1 per cent for 2026.
According to the IMF, strong technology investment, supportive fiscal and monetary policies, favourable financial conditions and private sector resilience have helped cushion the impact of shifting trade policies.
The fund added that global inflation is expected to continue declining, although inflation in the United States may return to target more gradually. It identified changing expectations around technology and rising geopolitical tensions as key risks to the outlook.
The IMF advised policymakers to rebuild fiscal buffers, maintain price and financial stability, reduce uncertainty and accelerate structural reforms.
On January 13, the World Bank also revised Nigeria’s 2026 growth forecast upward to 4.4 per cent, from the 3.7 per cent projected in June 2025.
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