IMF Pegs Nigeria’s 2026 Growth at 4.4%

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised its forecast for Nigeria’s economic growth in 2026 to 4.4 percent, up from 4.2 percent projected in October 2025.

The revised forecast was published in the IMF’s January 2026 update of its World Economic Outlook and released on Monday.

IMF said Nigeria’s stronger outlook reflects ongoing economic adjustments and policy reforms aimed at improving stability and productivity. Earlier concerns included high inflation, fiscal pressure, and structural challenges.

The Fund noted that Nigeria’s revision is in line with broader economic trends in the region, rather than an isolated change.

Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa was also revised slightly higher, with the region now expected to grow by 4.4 per cent in 2026.

At the global level, the IMF projects growth of 3.3 per cent in 2026 and 3.2 per cent in 2027, similar to the estimated 3.3 per cent growth in 2025.

The Fund said global growth is being supported by technology investment, including artificial intelligence, despite uncertainty around trade policies.

Global inflation is expected to slow, falling from 4.1 per cent in 2025 to 3.8 per cent in 2026 and to 3.4 per cent in 2027.

IMF Pegs Nigeria’s 2026 Growth at 4.4%. Credit: IMF

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Jimisayo Opanuga

Jimisayo Opanuga is a web writer in the Digital Department at News Central TV, where she covers African and international stories. Her reporting focuses on social issues, health, justice, and the environment, alongside general-interest news. She is passionate about telling stories that inform the public and give voice to underreported communities.