Nigeria’s $2.3trn infrastructure gap needs $100bn yearly, private sector urged to fund 70%
As of April 17, 2026, Nigeria faces an infrastructure deficit of about $2.3 trillion that must be closed between 2020 and 2043, requiring roughly $100 billion in annual investment to keep pace with economic and social needs, according to the Africa Infrastructure Development Index. Speaking at the Global Infrastructure Forum on the sidelines of the IMF–World Bank meetings in Washington, DC, Dr Jobson Ewalefoh, Director‑General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, said 70 percent of that funding must come from the private sector through public‑private partnerships. He warned that without stronger private capital, the country’s infrastructure ambitions are unattainable given the scarcity of public funds. Ewalefoh broke down the needs: the energy sector alone demands around $759 billion, transport infrastructure about $595 billion, while ICT, health, education and agriculture also require substantial capital. He noted that the government has moved to cut bureaucratic bottlenecks and improve policy consistency to boost investor confidence, adding that the forum offers a chance to position Nigeria as an attractive destination for global PPP capital. The International Monetary Fund, World Bank and other donors are present at the meeting to identify opportunities across the world. Will you consider allocating funds to Nigeria’s PPP pipeline, or look for other markets with lower perceived risk?