EBRD commits $500M to Nigeria's first year, plans $100M for Project Bridge
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) invested roughly $500 million across its five new Sub-Saharan African markets including Nigeria during its first year of operations there. The bank also confirmed Nigeria secured a fresh $100 million EBRD investment for Project Bridge, a nationwide digital connectivity initiative disclosed by Minister Bosun Tijani in February. EBRD's Country Director Mr Al-Assad stated the bank's Nigeria focus spans infrastructure, energy, mining, manufacturing, agribusiness and real estate, with about 80% of financing targeting private sector businesses and 20% public sector projects. EBRD's Nigeria operations began with partnership with Access Bank as its first financial institution client in Sub-Saharan Africa, with ongoing talks with other Nigerian banks. The bank plans investments through commercial banks and investment funds while maintaining flexibility to fund government projects that unlock private sector growth.