Nigeria is set to attract stronger international investment after the EBRD Nigeria investment programme outlined plans to channel at least $1.5 billion into the country over the next three years. The commitment reflects growing confidence in Nigeria’s private sector and expanding investment opportunities as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) deepens its presence in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The investment projection was announced during the inauguration of the EBRD’s first office in Sub-Saharan Africa, located in Lagos.
Speaking at the event, EBRD Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, Heike Harmgart, alongside the bank’s Country Director and Head of Nigerian Operations, Hamza Al-Assad, said Nigeria remains a priority market due to its strong private sector potential. The bank officially commenced operations in Nigeria in October 2025, a move aimed at expanding development financing across Africa’s largest economy.
Harmgart explained that the bank does not operate with rigid country quotas but instead finances commercially viable projects capable of delivering sustainable economic impact. According to her, the institution has already committed approximately $280 million to Nigerian projects within its first year of operations, including $180 million invested during the first half of the current year.
She said: “I’m personally very proud of Hamza and the team that we are already at $280 million, although we’ve only been here for less than a year, and already in the first half of this year have invested $180 million.” She added that current investment momentum could see commitments rise to about $300 million before the end of the year.
While noting that the bank does not impose fixed annual investment ceilings, Harmgart said the institution expects to commit at least $1.5 billion through the EBRD Nigeria investment programme over the next three years.
According to her: “We want to pursue as many opportunities as possible. Over the next three years, our expectation is that we would do a minimum total of $1.5 billion, but again, that’s an estimate.”
The bank said its investment model will continue to focus on identifying bankable private sector opportunities capable of supporting long-term economic growth.
The planned EBRD Nigeria investment could improve access to long-term financing for businesses, encourage private sector expansion and strengthen investor confidence. The development also reinforces Nigeria’s position as a key destination for international development finance as efforts continue to stimulate economic diversification, infrastructure development and sustainable private sector growth.
