The World Bank has approved a new $1.57 billion support fund to boost Nigeria’s economic development and recovery. Learn more about how the funds will be allocated and the expected impact on key sectors.
The World Bank approved three operations worth a total of $1.57 billion to help the Federal Government strengthen human capital through improved healthcare for women, children, and youth, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change, such as floods and droughts.
The new funding includes $500 million for Addressing Governance Issues Hindering Education and Health Delivery (HOPE-GOV), $570 million for Strengthening Primary Health Care Programs (HOPE-PHC), and $500 million for Sustainable Energy and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) projects.
The HOPE-GOV and HOPE-PHC programs will jointly support the Federal Government to improve service delivery in the areas of basic education and primary health care, which are crucial to improving human capital outcomes in Nigeria.
The SPIN project will support improving dam safety and water resource management for hydropower and irrigation in some parts of Nigeria.
The HOPE-GOV program addresses fundamental weaknesses in government systems and procedures in two key human development sectors. Particular focus will be on key cross-cutting challenges and enablers related to financial and human resource management in the areas of basic education and primary health care.
The program will increase the availability and effectiveness of basic education and primary health care funding, enhance funding transparency and accountability, and improve federal, state and local government recruitment, deployment and performance management of basic education teachers and primary health care personnel.
Supporting the health sector reforms recently launched by the Federal Government, the Central Bank said the HOPE-PHC project as part of the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative will improve the quality and utilization of essential health and nutrition services in the Federal Government. It will significantly reduce maternal and under-five mortality in the areas of reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health, and improve the resilience of the health system, benefiting 40 million people, including particularly vulnerable populations.
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The project is funded by a $500 million concessional loan from the International Development Agency (IDA) and an additional $70 million grant from the Global Finance Facility for Women, Children and Youth (GFF).
GFF support includes $11 million from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCDO) and $12.5 million from the Child Investment Foundation Fund (CIFF), co-funded with the GFF, to close the funding gap for primary health care and community health. Support maternal and child care at the hospital level while supporting the government’s efforts to ensure sustainable financing for family planning-related products.
The SPIN program will help Nigeria protect its people from floods and droughts through improved security and dam operations. The project will also support the delivery of new and improved irrigation and drainage services across 40,000 hectares.
This will enable up to 950,000 people, including households, farmers and ranchers, to directly benefit from more reliable, climate resilient and efficient irrigation and water supply, as well as increased agricultural productivity through improved irrigation water management.
Under the SPIN project, the government will develop a hydropower master plan and structured public-private partnerships for hydropower projects.
“Effective investments in the health and education of Nigerians are crucial now to improve future employment opportunities, productivity and incomes while reducing poverty for the most vulnerable. This new funding in human capital and primary health care will help address the complex issues facing Nigerians, especially women and girls, regarding access to and quality of services, as well as the governance arrangements that explain these challenges,” said Dr. Ndiame Diop, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria.
“The SPIN program is timely and will enable increased hydropower generation while protecting Nigerians from floods and droughts in the implementation areas. The direct positive impacts of this project on people and their lives will be immeasurable. The World Bank is pleased to partner with the government and other stakeholders in the implementation of this program,” Diop added.
