Nigeria's External Debt Hits $54.52 Billion in 2026

As of June 30, 2026, Nigeria's external debt stock reached $54.52 billion, an increase from $51.90 billion at the end of March 2026, marking a $2.62 billion rise in three months and a 5.05% quarter-on-quarter increase. Year-on-year, the debt grew from $45.98 billion in March 2025 to $51.90 billion in March 2026, reflecting a 12.90% increase.

The top 10 creditors accounted for $53.06 billion, or 97.32% of the total external debt. The International Development Association (IDA) is Nigeria's largest external creditor, holding 35.07% of the debt, while Eurobond investors account for 34.02%.

Together, these two sources represent 69.09% of the total. Multilateral institutions, including the AfDB Group and China Exim Bank, significantly contribute to Nigeria's external financing, with China’s role expanding beyond traditional lending.

The China Development Bank's debt increased to $573.53 million, representing 1.05% of total external debt. The African Export-Import Bank's exposure rose to $835.78 million, indicating its growing role in Nigeria's economic support.