The African Development Bank’s (AfDB) Nigeria portfolio stands as the single largest country allocation on the continent, valued at US $6.2 billion, which is approximately N9.13 trillion at the December 2025 exchange rate of N1,473 to the dollar. Despite covering all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, the bank’s 2025 Country Portfolio Performance Review (CPPR), released in March 2026, highlights a striking geographic imbalance in project distribution.
With an overall disbursement rate of 53%, representing approximately US $3.3 billion (N4.84 trillion) of the US $6.2 billion committed across 53 operations, a few states host multiple active, well-disbursed projects. Conversely, more than 20 states have no clearly named state projects with visible implementation progress, raising questions about equity in execution.
The CPPR assessment indicated that the share of flagged operations decreased from 42% in January 2025 to 25% in December 2025, suggesting improved monitoring and oversight. However, several projects remain at zero disbursement, at least four are rated problematic or potentially problematic, and three are classified as ageing.
North-East Leads in Development Beneficiaries
The North-East region, comprising Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe, shows the most concentrated and visible direct development impact within the AfDB’s portfolio. This is largely due to the Inclusive Basic Service Delivery and Livelihood Empowerment Programme.
This multi-state social programme is valued at US $259.5 million, approximately N382.2 billion at the December 2025 exchange rate. The programme, covering Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, and Taraba, achieved significant community-level outputs during the 2025 review period.
These achievements include: 45 out of 60 health facilities reaching advanced completion; solar-powered water systems and sanitation campaigns executed in 248 communities; school furniture, uniforms, and learning kits distributed to over 18,000 pupils; 10,272 caregivers receiving nutrition messaging; 1,105 MSME start-ups supported; 1,507 women-led agribusiness groups strengthened; and 3,268 vulnerable individuals receiving cash transfers and productive assets.
The combined AfDB and ADF windows for this programme had disbursed US $174.7 million of the US $259.5 million committed, a blended disbursement rate of approximately 67%. Taraba and Adamawa states led in direct livelihood support disbursement within the programme.
