Nigeria's external debt hits $51.90 billion, Eurobonds and IDA control over 70%
By Aboki Forex —
Nigeria's external debt rose to $51.90 billion as of March 31, 2026, with Eurobond investors and the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA) holding more than 70 per cent of the total.
Eurobond investors are Nigeria's biggest external creditors, with $18.55 billion owed to them. That equals 35.73 per cent of the country's total external debt.
Who holds Nigeria's foreign debt
Other major creditors include the World Bank's International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), owed $1.43 billion, and the African Development Fund, owed $1.01 billion.
France's Agence Française de Développement is owed $902.17 million, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is owed $637.82 million, and the China Development Bank is owed $507.52 million.
What the numbers mean
The latest figures highlight both sides of Nigeria's external borrowing. On one side, the country has access to development finance and budget support. On the other, repayment obligations and foreign exchange pressures are rising.
For the naira, a heavy external debt stock means more demand for dollars when debt service falls due. That could put further pressure on the exchange rate if revenue from exports and other inflows does not keep pace.