The World Bank is set to approve two fresh loans worth $750m for Nigeria on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. The facilities are targeted at strengthening health security and building climate-resilient digital infrastructure across the country.
According to details published on the World Bank’s website, the package comprises a $500m credit for the Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth in Nigeria (BRIDGE) project, and $250m under the Health Security Programme in Western and Central Africa – Phase II. Both facilities are already in the bank’s pipeline, with board approval scheduled this week.
The BRIDGE project, anchored by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, aims to expand broadband access to unserved and underserved areas. With an estimated cost of $1.6bn, the World Bank’s contribution will come through a concessional International Development Association loan, while the balance is expected from private sector financing.
The initiative is designed to deliver climate-resilient broadband infrastructure that will connect rural and remote communities. It is regarded as a critical step in Nigeria’s push to become a digitally inclusive economy.
Communications and Digital Economy Minister, Dr Bosun Tijani, disclosed in August that Project BRIDGE is “arguably the most ambitious and foundational digital infrastructure project in Nigeria’s history.”
He explained that the technical design includes seven major fibre rings linking Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones with Lagos, alongside 37 city-level fibre loops, 77 regional networks, and several edge data centres. Implementation will be managed by a Special Purpose Vehicle with 51 per cent government equity and 49 per cent private investment.
The second loan of $250m will support the Health Security Programme – Phase II, a regional project covering several West and Central African countries. Nigeria’s portion, coordinated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, will be overseen by the Ministry of Finance.
The programme is focused on improving preparedness for pandemics and public health emergencies. According to the World Bank, it will strengthen regional health surveillance and emergency response systems, drawing on lessons from COVID-19 and other recent outbreaks.
Nigeria has experienced a sharp rise in World Bank support in recent years. Between June 2023 and August 2025, fresh approvals amounted to $8.4bn, covering energy, health, education, rural development, and governance.
Despite the concessional nature of these loans, economists remain divided on their long-term implications.
Lagos-based economist, Adewale Abimbola, said borrowing can be beneficial “if it is concessionary and tied to viable, revenue-generating projects.” He stressed that “the key is in implementation and accountability.”
But development economist and CSA Advisory CEO, Dr Aliyu Ilias, warned that Nigeria’s debt trajectory is alarming. He noted that total debt rose from N87tn at the end of the Buhari administration to about N149tn now, with projections nearing N180tn.
“Why are we borrowing more when we’re supposedly earning more?” he asked. “The debt burden is crowding out funds for essential services and capital projects.”
Latest figures from the Debt Management Office show Nigeria owes the World Bank $18.23bn as of March 2025, compared to $17.81bn at the end of 2024. This includes $16.99bn from IDA and $1.24bn from IBRD.
The World Bank now accounts for nearly 40 per cent of Nigeria’s external debt and over 80 per cent of its multilateral debt.
