Washington: The Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, announced that Nigeria has gained global investors’ confidence. Uzoka-Anite shared this information with journalists during the 2025 International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank Group (WBG) Meetings.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Uzoka-Anite highlighted that the interest of investors in Nigeria’s economy has been revitalized due to ongoing reforms and clear policies. At a recent investor conference, there was significant interest in Nigeria, with many investors inquiring about the country’s return to the Eurobond market. Uzoka-Anite emphasized that such interest is a testament to the confidence investors have in the economy, as purchasing bonds is considered a vote of trust.
The minister explained that the stabilizing macroeconomic environment and robust growth are contributing to the renewed investor confidence. One of the key advantages for investors is the ability to bring in and repatriate funds without foreign exchange restrictions, thus boosting confidence. Foreign direct investment inflows are beginning to rise, with global corporations and diaspora investors expressing renewed interest in Nigeria’s economy. Shell, for instance, has recently announced a two-billion-dollar expansion in oil exploration, and there is growing enthusiasm from the diaspora community and other international investors.
Uzoka-Anite expressed that the country’s engagement at the annual meetings was both exciting and impactful, with strategic discussions held with multilateral financial institutions and regional development banks. These engagements offered a platform to share Nigeria’s success story and highlight progress in implementing significant reforms. The IMF and the World Bank have commended Nigeria for its achievements, attributing them to the visionary leadership of President Bola Tinubu.
The minister also noted positive trends in the economy, such as inflation rate stability. For the first time in over five years, inflation has dropped below 20 percent, leading to more affordable food and essentials. Price moderation is aided by clarity and stability in the foreign exchange market, with the Naira appreciating and confidence returning, allowing manufacturers and traders to price goods more realistically.
Additionally, Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves have increased to over 43 billion dollars, a level not seen in many years, and this growth is not driven by borrowed funds. The minister emphasized that these developments translate into improved living conditions for Nigerians, as reforms take root and their impact becomes evident across key sectors.
In the short term, the reforms are expected to result in job creation, increased private investment, and improved social spending. As confidence continues to rise, the Central Bank’s decision to reduce the monetary policy rate is another positive indicator. The minister reassured that everything is moving in the right direction, with social protection remaining a core pillar of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Government policies are focused on fostering inclusive growth, promoting job creation, and ensuring shared prosperity, which are yielding results as seen in the stronger GDP performance. For the first time, GDP growth of 4.23 percent has outpaced population growth, offering renewed hope for a prosperous future for new generations through investments in social protection, healthcare, education, and food systems.