The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised Nigeria’s economic growth forecast for 2026 upward to 4.4%, from its previous estimate of 4.2%.
The revised projection was published in the IMF’s January 2026 update of the World Economic Outlook and formally unveiled on Monday at the report’s launch.
The upgrade reflects increased optimism about Nigeria’s medium-term economic prospects, as ongoing reforms, improved fiscal coordination and efforts to restore macroeconomic stability begin to show results. The Fund also situates Nigeria’s outlook within a broader narrative of gradual recovery across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Details of Report
The IMF’s latest projections indicate a modest but notable improvement in Nigeria’s medium-term growth outlook compared with its October 2025 assessment.
According to the report, Nigeria’s economy is now projected to expand by 4.4% in 2026, up from the earlier forecast of 4.2%. The fund however, made no significant adjustments to its near-term outlook, suggesting that the upward revision is driven largely by expectations beyond the immediate horizon.
Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa was revised upward from 4.0% to 4.1% for 2025, and from 4.3% to 4.4% for 2026, pointing to a region-wide recovery.
Overall, the IMF’s update suggests that Nigeria’s improved growth outlook is part of a broader pattern of gradual economic strengthening across the region, rather than an isolated reassessment following months of sustained growth.