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Nigeria owes China $5.7bn in bilateral loans —World Bank

Nigeria owes China $5.7bn in bilateral loans —World Bank
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Verified Synthesis~38s read
The World Bank disclosed this in its International Debt Report 2026 uploaded on its website on Friday, which showed that Nigeria’s total external debt stock rose by 6.6 per cent to $145.02bn in 2025 from $136.05bn in 2024. Africa’s most populous nation Nigeria owed China $5.67bn in bilateral external debt as of the end of 2025, accounting for about 85 per cent of its total $6.68bn obligations to foreign governments, according to the World Bank.
Context & Background
  • ✦The country’s external debt comprised $62.4bn in public and publicly guaranteed obligations, $54.48bn in private nonguaranteed debt and $28.14bn in short-term external debt.
Key Figures & Named Entities
2025:Africa’s most populous nation Nigeria owed China $5.67bn in bilateral external debt as of the end of 2025, accounting for about 85 per cent of its total $6.68bn obligations to foreign governments, according to the World Bank.$774:The figure places Asian economic powerhouse China as Nigeria’s largest bilateral creditor, ahead of France, to which the country owed $774m, while other bilateral creditors accounted for $237m.2026:The World Bank disclosed this in its International Debt Report 2026 uploaded on its website on Friday, which showed that Nigeria’s total external debt stock rose by 6.6 per cent to $145.02bn in 2025 from $136.05bn in 2024.
Outlook & Next Steps
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Key Takeaways
Verified Extract
  • ✦The World Bank disclosed this in its International Debt Report 2026 uploaded on its website on Friday, which showed that Nigeria’s total external debt stock rose by 6.6 per cent to $145.02bn in 2025 from $136.05bn in 2024.
  • ✦Africa’s most populous nation Nigeria owed China $5.67bn in bilateral external debt as of the end of 2025, accounting for about 85 per cent of its total $6.68bn obligations to foreign governments, according to the World Bank.
  • ✦The country’s external debt comprised $62.4bn in public and publicly guaranteed obligations, $54.48bn in private nonguaranteed debt and $28.14bn in short-term external debt.
Key Facts:2025: Africa’s most populous nation Nigeria owed China $5.67bn in bilateral external debt as of the end of 2025, accounting for about 85 per cent of its total $6.68bn obligations to foreign governments, according to the World Bank.$774: The figure places Asian economic powerhouse China as Nigeria’s largest bilateral creditor, ahead of France, to which the country owed $774m, while other bilateral creditors accounted for $237m.2026: The World Bank disclosed this in its International Debt Report 2026 uploaded on its website on Friday, which showed that Nigeria’s total external debt stock rose by 6.6 per cent to $145.02bn in 2025 from $136.05bn in 2024.$6.68: Nigeria’s bilateral debt of $6.68bn formed part of its $62.4bn public and publicly guaranteed external debt, which includes direct government borrowing and loans obtained by other entities with government guarantees.
Editorial Excerpt

Africa’s most populous nation Nigeria owed China $5.67bn in bilateral external debt as of the end of 2025, accounting for about 85 per cent of its total $6.68bn obligations to foreign governments, according to the World Bank.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Story

What is the latest development regarding National Assembly of Nigeria?

The World Bank disclosed this in its International Debt Report 2026 uploaded on its website on Friday, which showed that Nigeria’s total external debt stock rose by 6.6 per cent to $145.02bn in 2025 from $136.05bn in 2024.

Who are the key organizations or public figures mentioned?

The primary parties identified in this coverage include National Assembly of Nigeria, Godswill Akpabio, Naira & Foreign Exchange Policy.

What timeline or key figures were confirmed?

Africa’s most populous nation Nigeria owed China $5.67bn in bilateral external debt as of the end of 2025, accounting for about 85 per cent of its total $6.68bn obligations to foreign governments, according to the World Bank.

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