The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reviewed its forecast for Nigeria’s economic growth rate upward to 4.4 per cent in 2026.
The Bretton Woods organisation upgraded the rate from an initial estimate of 4.2 per cent, according to the World Economic Outlook (WEO) released on Monday.
IMF said Nigeria’s GDP growth is expected to slowdown to 4.1 percent in 2027.
The fund further projected that sub-Saharan Africa’s economy will expand by 4.4 percent in 2026.
Furthermore, the IMF said global economic growth will rise by 3.3 percent this year, with a slight slowdown of 3.2 percent expected in 2027.
According to the organisation, the new growth rate represents an upward review from its October 2025 projection of 3.1 percent in 2026.
IMF said strong technology investment, supportive fiscal and monetary policies, favorable financial conditions, and private sector resilience have helped offset the effects of shifting trade policies.
The fund also said global inflation is projected to decline, though inflation in the United States is expected to return to target more gradually.
Additionally, the organisation said the key risks include changing expectations around technology and rising geopolitical tensions.
The IMF advised policymakers to rebuild fiscal buffers, maintain price and financial stability, reduce uncertainty, and push forward with structural reforms.
On January 13, the World Bank increased its projection for Nigeria’s economic growth rate for 2026 to 4.4 percent from the 3.7 percent forecasted in June 2025.
