By Faridat Salifu
Rising debt burdens, climate finance gaps and widening inequalities are expected to dominate discussions as Nigeria and representatives from 190 other countries converge in Bangkok, Thailand, for the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
The meetings, scheduled for October 12 to 18, come amid mounting pressure on developing economies to finance development, respond to climate-related shocks and create jobs while managing limited fiscal resources.
More than 15,000 delegates from 191 countries, including finance ministers, central bank governors and development leaders, are expected to participate in discussions on the global economic outlook and strategies for addressing pressing development challenges.
Nigeria is expected to be represented by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele; the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso; and other government officials.
The gathering also comes weeks after Nigeria called for an overhaul of global governance structures and international financial institutions at the 2026 BRICS Summit in India.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, called for a more representative, equitable and responsive global governance architecture and international financial system.
Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s support for international institutions that reflect contemporary economic and demographic realities, arguing that the transformation championed by BRICS should extend to the wider international system.
The position highlights concerns among developing countries about their influence in global financial decision-making, particularly as they face growing borrowing costs, climate vulnerabilities and competing demands for public spending.
Climate finance is expected to remain a major concern for countries that need resources to adapt to extreme weather, strengthen infrastructure and pursue lower-emission development while servicing existing debts.
The global economic outlook adds to these pressures. In July, the IMF lowered its 2026 global growth forecast to 3.0 per cent from the 3.1 per cent projected in April, citing the effects of conflict in the Middle East and uncertainty over whether the artificial intelligence boom could offset wider economic disruptions.
The revised projection marked the second time the Fund had reduced its growth expectations for the year and pointed to slower expansion than in 2025.
The IMF also projected global inflation at 4.7 per cent for 2026, higher than previously anticipated, adding to concerns over the cost of living and the economic pressures facing households and governments.
Against this backdrop, the Bangkok meetings are expected to test the willingness of major economies and developing nations to agree on responses to debt vulnerabilities, financing shortfalls, employment challenges and inequality.
For Nigeria and other developing countries, the discussions will provide an opportunity to press for international financial arrangements that better reflect their economic realities and support their development priorities.
Whether the meetings produce concrete progress will depend on the commitments made by participating countries and the extent to which proposed reforms translate into accessible financing and stronger representation for developing economies.
