by NIyi Jacobs
Nigeria’s economic reform agenda received a strong vote of international confidence this week as Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, held strategic discussions with Anna Bjerde, Managing Director of Operations at the World Bank Group, alongside senior officials.
The talks, held in Abuja, reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s clear economic direction and highlighted growing global confidence in Nigeria’s ongoing reform programme. Minister Edun pointed to strong momentum across key sectors, driven by decisive policy action, with a renewed focus on growth, investment, and job creation.
Key areas of discussion included expanding reliable electricity supply, strengthening agriculture, accelerating digital infrastructure, improving trade flows, and unlocking private sector investment—all central to building a more productive and competitive economy.
The meeting also emphasized Nigeria’s leadership role in energy reform and its ambition to serve as a regional economic hub, leveraging Abuja’s position as host city for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Ms. Bjerde welcomed Nigeria’s reform progress and commended the government’s clarity of purpose, noting increasing confidence from international markets and partners. She reaffirmed support for Nigeria’s investment-led growth agenda, with particular emphasis on infrastructure delivery and private sector participation.
Both parties agreed on the need to accelerate implementation, attract capital at scale, and create opportunities for Nigeria’s growing population, signaling a commitment to sustainable economic growth and positioning the nation as a key player in regional and global markets.
This milestone demonstrates Nigeria’s ability to align domestic reform with global investment priorities, further strengthening its economic credibility on the world stage
