Nigeria’s IDA Debt Drops By $200m In Q1, Rises 6.9% Year-On-Year

Nigeria’s IDA Debt Drops By $200m In Q1, Rises 6.9% Year-On-Year — World Bank

World Bank data shows Nigeria’s debt exposure to the International Development Association (IDA) fell slightly by $200 million to $18.5 billion in Q1 2026, though it remains 6.9% higher year-on-year, keeping Nigeria among the world’s largest concessional borrowers.

Daniel Momodu · May 24, 2026 · 29

Nigeria’s debt exposure to the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) declined slightly in the first quarter of 2026, falling by $200 million over the three-month period, according to the latest World Bank financial data.

The figures show that Nigeria’s IDA exposure stood at about $18.5 billion as of March 31, 2026, down from $18.7 billion recorded at the end of December 2025. The marginal decline reflects a 1.1% quarterly reduction in outstanding concessional loans.

However, despite the short-term drop, Nigeria’s debt position increased on a yearly basis, rising by about 6.9% compared to March 2025 levels. This indicates continued reliance on concessional financing from the World Bank over the longer term.

The data also places Nigeria among the largest IDA borrowers globally, behind countries such as Bangladesh and Pakistan, which continue to top the list of concessional lending recipients.

Overall, the World Bank’s latest figures highlight a mixed trend, a small quarterly improvement, but a sustained year-on-year increase in Nigeria’s exposure to concessional debt financing.