Managing Director Anna Bjerde says sustained policy consistency is boosting investor confidence and shaping Nigeria’s $1 trillion growth ambition…..
World Bank’s Managing Director for Operations, Anna Bjerde, has described Nigeria as an increasingly cited global example of steady and credible reform leadership.
Bjerde made the remarks on Tuesday at the State House in Abuja during a meeting between a World Bank delegation and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside Vice President Kashim Shettima. Her comments were contained in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
She commended Nigeria’s reform trajectory over the past two years, noting that the government has remained committed to its policy direction despite economic and social pressures.
According to Bjerde, the consistency of the reforms and the emerging positive outcomes have helped build confidence among investors, policymakers, and the private sector.
She also disclosed that the World Bank’s forthcoming Country Partnership Framework for Nigeria is firmly aligned with the country’s own development priorities, including the ambition to grow the economy to $1 trillion and achieve an annual growth rate of 7 percent.
Bjerde stressed the need to improve access to finance across businesses of all sizes, particularly mid-sized enterprises, which she identified as critical drivers of job creation and economic expansion.
The World Bank executive further acknowledged Nigeria’s emphasis on early childhood development, describing it as a key factor for improving long-term productivity and human capital outcomes. She assured the federal government of the institution’s continued support in this area.
“Many countries around the world, including middle-income and upper-middle-income economies, are again experiencing rising levels of stunting,” Bjerde said. “Here, we have identified early childhood development as a strong entry point. All of this underscores why we are looking forward to a new Country Partnership Framework.”
She reaffirmed the World Bank Group’s commitment to a support programme that reflects Nigeria’s national priorities and combines both public and private sector interventions.
Bjerde added that the World Bank, through its institutions the International Development Association, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the International Finance Corporation remains ready to deepen its support for Nigeria’s ongoing reform agenda.
Also present at the meeting were the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia.
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