By Faridat Salifu
The United States has expressed growing interest in investing in Nigeria’s natural gas and digital infrastructure sectors, so says Wale Edun, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.
Speaking recently after bilateral meetings during the 2025 IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington D.C., Edun revealed that U.S. officials are particularly keen on participating in the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP) project.
The NMGP, first approved in 2022 under the former Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), aims to enhance regional energy security by linking Nigeria’s vast gas reserves with North Africa and Europe.
“The U.S. emphasized its interest in Nigeria’s natural gas sector, especially the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline,” Edun said, following talks with representatives from the U.S. State Department and Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso.
Beyond energy, discussions extended to the digital economy, with the U.S. highlighting opportunities around transatlantic fiber optic projects that could indirectly bolster Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and connectivity goals.
Agriculture also featured prominently in the discussions, with American representatives expressing readiness to invest in boosting productivity, value chain enhancement, and food security in Nigeria through technical support and financing.
In addition, Edun noted that engagements with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation explored collaborations to fill funding gaps in Nigeria’s development programs, particularly following reductions in USAID funding.
The Nigerian delegation also secured renewed support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for key initiatives, including the “M300 initiative” and investments in airport and logistics infrastructure.
The meetings underscored Nigeria’s effort to attract strategic investments into critical sectors as the country pushes ahead with broad economic reforms to stimulate growth and diversify its economy.
