World Bank to Bring Electricity to 32M Nigerians by 2032

Imagine living without reliable electricity or internet access in 2026. For millions of Nigerians, that's daily reality, but a new World Bank initiative could change everything by 2032.

The World Bank unveiled its Country Partnership Framework for Nigeria this week, promising to connect 32 million people to electricity and expand broadband internet access to 58 million more Nigerians. The six-year plan also targets support for 9.5 million farmers through programs designed to boost agricultural production and market connections.

Acting Country Director Taimur Samad presented the framework in Lagos at the Nigerian Economic Summit Group's forum. The plan focuses on creating quality private sector jobs while mobilizing $4.1 billion in private capital for infrastructure and agribusiness projects.

The electricity expansion will lean heavily on distributed renewable energy systems. A $750 million World Bank program paired with a $200 million facility will help deliver power to communities currently living in darkness.

Digital connectivity gets equal attention with a $500 million program for resilient broadband infrastructure. Another $500 million pipeline targets sustainable agricultural value chains to help farmers earn more from their work.

Beyond infrastructure, the framework sets ambitious human development goals. It aims to provide 40 million people with improved health, nutrition, and population services while supporting 19.4 million students with better education. The plan also targets reducing childhood stunting by eight percentage points.

Small businesses stand to benefit too. The framework plans to bring 250,000 additional small and medium enterprises into the formal financial system, giving them access to capital and growth opportunities.

The Ripple Effect

When electricity reaches a home for the first time, everything changes. Children can study after dark. Refrigerators preserve food and medicine. Small businesses can operate longer hours. Internet access connects rural communities to markets, education, and opportunities previously out of reach.

This isn't just about infrastructure. It's about unlocking human potential on a massive scale. When farmers access better market information online, they earn fairer prices. When students can research homework online, educational gaps narrow. When entrepreneurs can accept digital payments, their businesses grow.

The World Bank is backing this framework with serious commitment. Its current Nigerian portfolio includes 30 active projects worth $15.9 billion, with most funding flowing through state-level programs for maximum local impact.

The framework builds on lessons learned from previous programs that delivered more than $12 billion in support. Average loan sizes have increased from $415 million in 2021 to $580 million in 2025, concentrating resources for bigger impact.

Success depends on collaboration between the World Bank, International Finance Corporation, and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency. The plan includes flexibility for annual adjustments based on what's working and what needs course correction.

For a country where reliable electricity and internet remain luxuries for many, this framework offers a roadmap toward joining the connected, powered world most of us take for granted.