Economy
Nigeria remains Africa’s largest economy, says World Bank
The World Bank’s Country Director for Nigeria, Dr. Ndiame Diop, has confirmed that Nigeria remains the largest economy in Africa by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) despite the challenges faced by its private sector.
Speaking at the Country Private Sector Diagnostic (CPSD) and Stakeholder Engagement in Abuja yesterday, Dr. Diop said while Nigeria receives far less Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) than its potential warrants—especially in comparison to countries like Indonesia and South Africa—it continues to hold its position as Africa’s biggest economy.
He stated that the CPSD report, set to be released in the coming weeks, will reveal the impact of private sector constraints on economic growth.
He noted that if targeted actions were taken to remove these obstacles, Nigeria’s economic potential would be significantly enhanced.
The current macroeconomic reforms, he explained, have created a favorable environment for such changes. He cited the country’s recent economic stabilization measures, particularly exchange rate market adjustments and improved access to foreign exchange, as critical steps that have already enhanced investment conditions.
Dr. Diop outlined four key sectors where strategic reforms could unlock massive investment and job creation. In the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector, investment opportunities worth up to $4 billion could be realized, potentially creating more than 200,000 jobs.
In agribusiness, reforms could unlock $6 billion in investment and generate over 275,000 jobs.
The solar photovoltaic (PV) industry holds the potential for $8.5 billion in investment and more than 129,000 jobs, while the pharmaceutical sector could attract $1.6 billion and create more than 30,000 to 40,000 jobs.
For the ICT sector, he identified the high, unpredictable, and inconsistent right-of-way fees, levies, and informal charges—comprising 30 to 70 per cent of broadband rollout costs—as a major barrier. Addressing these regulatory inconsistencies, he argued, would be a game-changer for broadband expansion. He acknowledged that the National Economic Council has recognized this issue and that progress is being made through a World Bank-supported initiative.
Additionally, he pointed to challenges such as vandalism, limited financing for rural broadband expansion, and the need for competitive access to wholesale fiber. He noted that efforts are underway in collaboration with government agencies to resolve these issues, and the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and private investors are prepared to support broadband infrastructure development.
On solar power, Dr. Diop described Nigeria’s energy sector as difficult but noted that renewable energy access, particularly solar PV, has been a bright spot. He explained that private sector investment in renewable energy has historically been hindered by high costs and unviable tariffs. However, blended finance mechanisms supported by the World Bank and IFC have helped bridge this gap, making off-grid solutions more viable.
He pointed to the DES project, which aims to connect 17.5 million households and businesses to solar power, as evidence of growing private sector interest. While the solar industry is expanding, he stressed that reforms to improve Nigeria’s grid electricity supply remain crucial for industrialization.
The Regional Director for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa at the IFC, Dr. Dahlia Khalifa, stressed the importance of consistency in regulatory policies, particularly in customs duties and revenue agency fees. She noted that unpredictability discourages private sector investment, as businesses rely on stable regulatory environments for strategic planning.
Khalifa also pointed out that while direct job creation in the pharmaceutical sector may be lower compared to other industries, improved healthcare services would yield far-reaching economic benefits.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, commended the IFC for its support across critical sectors, including agriculture, infrastructure, and pharmaceuticals. He highlighted key financing partnerships such as the $1.2 billion facility for Indorama’s fertilizer expansion in Eleme, investments in cocoa processing, and a $70 million SME financing initiative with First City Monument Bank.
He also acknowledged IFC’s latest commitment of $70 million to five Nigerian companies under the Distributive Access to Renewable Energy programme, part of the federal government’s broader Mission 300 initiative.
Edun said President Bola Tinubu’s administration has undertaken bold and necessary reforms that have reshaped Nigeria’s economic landscape. He noted that the removal of wasteful subsidies has strengthened government finances, while improved security has boosted oil production and revenue.
He highlighted that private sector confidence is growing, with new investments beginning to materialize in response to the government’s policy changes.
The minister restated the administration’s commitment to addressing the cost-of-living crisis, particularly through increased food production and affordability measures. He acknowledged that reforms such as the removal of fuel subsidies and the adoption of market-based pricing mechanisms have led to short-term inflationary pressures.
However, he assured that targeted interventions, including direct cash transfers to vulnerable citizens with World Bank support, will help mitigate the impact.
He insisted that the government remains determined to leverage technology to ensure swift, biometric-enabled assistance to those in need.
The launch of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE Initial Public Offering on Monday triggered a surge in demand that overwhelmed two popular Nigerian investment platforms, Bamboo and Cowrywise.
Both platforms reported unusually high traffic as retail investors rushed to subscribe to the offer, with some users unable to log into their accounts.
Bamboo announced the access difficulties on X, attributing them to the unexpected volume of traffic generated by investors seeking to participate in the Dangote IPO.
“Hey everyone, we’re getting a much higher than expected traffic trying to get into the Dangote IPO and it’s making it difficult for some users to log into the Bamboo app. We’re working on a fix and it will be up and running shortly,” the platform said.
Cowrywise also acknowledged increased traffic on its platform.
“We’re currently seeing more traffic than usual on the Cowrywise app. Our team is already on it and working to get things back to normal. Thanks for your patience, everyone,” it said in a post on X.
The two platforms are among the approved fintech channels through which investors can subscribe to the Dangote Refinery public offer.
The rush came as the offer opened to investors on Monday, with the public offer seeking to raise about N2.15tn through the sale of 4.1 billion ordinary shares at N525 each.
Investors can subscribe for a minimum of 10 shares, valued at N5,250, a structure designed to encourage broad participation by retail investors.
The Dangote Refinery IPO is one of the largest public share offerings in Africa. The refinery, owned by the Dangote Group, plans to use the proceeds to support expansion and increase its refining capacity.
The offer has generated significant interest among retail investors, following efforts to promote the opportunity as a means of allowing Nigerians and other African investors to own shares in one of the continent’s biggest industrial projects.
The surge in demand highlights the scale of interest in the offer while exposing the pressure that high-demand investment events can place on digital platforms.
The Securities and Exchange Commission had earlier warned investors against unauthorised promotions relating to a purported Dangote Refinery IPO before the formal offer received regulatory approval.
In June, the commission said no application for the IPO had been filed or approved at the time and directed capital market operators to stop accepting deposits or expressions of interest.
Following regulatory approval, the Dangote Refinery public offer was cleared to proceed, with the company publishing a list of approved banks, fintechs, mobile operators and NGX Invest through which investors can subscribe.
See Exchange Rate As Naira Gains 0.07%
The Black Market Dollar-to-Naira Exchange Rate for 14th September 2026 Can Be Accessed Below.
NOTE: The exchange rate changes hourly. It depends on the volume of dollars available and the Demand. This means…you can buy or sell 1 dollar at a certain rate, and the price can change (high or low) within hours.
The official naira black market exchange rate in Nigeria today, including the Black Market rates, Bureau De Change (BDC), and CBN rates.
The exchange rate fluctuates hourly based on the supply and demand of dollars in the market.
What’s the dollar to naira black market today, 14th September 2026?
The exchange rate for a dollar to naira at Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market) players sell a dollar for ₦1390 and buy at ₦1380 on Monday, 14th September, 2026, according to sources at Bureau De Change (BDC).
Please note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not recognize the parallel market (black market), as it has directed individuals who want to engage in Forex to approach their respective banks.
Dollar to Naira Black Market Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) Black Market Exchange Rate Today
Selling Rate ₦1390
Buying Rate ₦1380
Dollar to Naira CBN Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) CBN Rate Today
Highest Rate ₦1330
Lowest Rate ₦1326
The pump price of petrol has risen to as high as N1,430 per litre in parts of Abuja following an increase in the wholesale price of Premium Motor Spirit by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The refinery raised its gantry price from N1,265 to N1,350 per litre, representing an N85 or 6.7 per cent increase, as international crude oil prices continued to climb.
The latest adjustment has already triggered fresh increases at filling stations across the Federal Capital Territory, with motorists paying between N1,395 and N1,430 per litre, depending on the outlet.
Checks in Abuja on Sunday showed that MRS filling stations had moved their pump price from N1,350 to N1,395 per litre, while NIPCO increased its price to N1,430. Mobil outlets also raised theirs to N1,400 per litre.
An attendant at an MRS outlet, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said motorists should expect another increase as stations begin receiving products purchased at the new depot price.
“We are currently selling our old stock at N1,395 per litre, but from tomorrow, once the new stock arrives, the price will be higher,” she said.
The development has raised concerns among economists and other stakeholders over its likely effect on transportation, food prices and the wider cost of living.
An economist and development expert, Aliyu Ilias, warned that another increase in petrol prices could push up inflation, arguing that higher fuel costs would eventually be reflected in transportation and production expenses.
Similarly, former Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity, Owei Lakemfa, urged the Federal Government to strengthen regulation and economic planning to cushion consumers from fluctuations in global crude prices.
Lakemfa argued that domestic petrol prices should not automatically rise whenever geopolitical tensions cause crude prices to increase internationally, stressing that Nigeria’s status as a crude oil producer should give it an advantage in refining and supplying petroleum products locally.
Meanwhile, the National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chinedu Ukadike, said marketers had been forced to adjust their pump prices following successive changes in the refinery’s pricing.
Ukadike said the frequent adjustments were creating uncertainty for both petroleum dealers and consumers because the cost of replacing existing stock could change within a short period.
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