‎IMF Upgrades Nigeria’s 2026 Economic Growth Forecast to 4.4
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‎The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised Nigeria’s economic growth projection for 2026 upward to 4.4%, signaling renewed confidence in the country’s economic trajectory. This marks a modest but notable increase from the Fund’s previous forecast of 4.2%.
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‎The updated outlook was released in the January 2026 edition of the IMF’s World Economic Outlook, officially launched on Monday. The revision reflects the IMF’s growing optimism about Nigeria’s medium-term economic prospects, citing the positive impact of ongoing structural reforms, improved fiscal coordination, and strides toward macroeconomic stability.
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‎According to the report, Nigeria’s economic rebound is part of a broader trend of recovery across Sub-Saharan Africa, where several economies are beginning to show signs of resilience following years of global economic headwinds, including the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflationary pressures, and geopolitical disruptions.
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‎The IMF highlighted that Nigeria’s reform agenda, particularly in areas such as exchange rate unification, subsidy rationalization, and revenue mobilization, has begun to yield tangible results, boosting investor confidence and laying the groundwork for sustainable growth.
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‎Economists view the upward revision as a positive signal, though they caution that sustaining momentum will require continued policy discipline, investment in infrastructure, and inclusive growth strategies to address unemployment and poverty.
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‎The 4.4% growth forecast, while still below the levels needed to significantly reduce poverty in Africa’s most populous nation, suggests that Nigeria is on a firmer footing as it navigates a complex global economic environment.