W’Bank set to disburse $1.5bn loan to Nigeria

The World Bank has approved Nigeria’s request for a $1.5 billion loan and will soon disburse the funds.

The global financial institution in a statement on Tuesday said the facility is a five-year country partnership framework (CPF) that would last from 2021 to 2024.

It said the facility was prepared jointly with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA).

“This country partnership framework will guide our engagement for the next five years in supporting the government of Nigeria’s strategic priorities by taking a phased and adaptive approach,” World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri,  said.

He added, “To realise its long-term potential, the country has to make tangible progress on key challenges and pursue some bold reforms. Our engagement will focus on supporting Nigeria’s efforts to reduce poverty and promote sustained private sector-led growth.”

According to the World Bank, the loan will focus on four areas of engagement namely: investing in human capital; promoting jobs and economic transformation and diversification; enhancing resilience and strengthening the foundations of the public sector.

The bank’s board of directors also approved $1.5 billion for two projects in Nigeria.

The projects are Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus – Programme for Results (Nigeria CARES) and The State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability Program for Results (SFTAS) Additional Financing.

Both projects will get a $750 million facility through the International Development Association (IDA).

The $1.5 billion loan had initially been delayed with Chaudhuri saying Nigeria needs to carry out more currency reform to access the loan.