Juliet Jacob 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria’s slow pace of economic reform continues to hinder growth, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa.
The IMF named Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Uganda among the region’s fastest-growing economies, projecting average growth of 4.1% in 2025.
Despite Nigeria’s large GDP, the Fund noted that persistent inflation, weak fiscal discipline, and exchange-rate volatility are eroding investor confidence.
“Fiscal and monetary imbalances, coupled with over-dependence on domestic borrowing, are constraining economic activity,” the report stated.
Financial analyst Dr. Bismarck Rewane observed, “Nigeria’s economy is big but stagnant. Without reforms in power, taxation, and the oil sector, growth will remain below potential.”
The IMF urged regional governments to diversify exports, expand revenue, and strengthen public finances. Economists say Nigeria’s exclusion from the top performers is a wake-up call for decisive structural change.
About the Author
Hussaini Ibrahim 
Mirian Gom 
Chukwu Obinna