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Trust in Nigeria’s financial institutions in 2025 hinges on transparency, security and customer experience
  • Majority trust will be moderate to high: 92.6% of Nigerians are expected to have either high (43.9%) or moderate (48.7%) trust in financial institutions by 2025.
  • Transparency is the biggest driver of trust as 46.2% of respondents believe transparent policies and fees will most improve their trust.
  • Security is a rising priority; 30.2% of Nigerians highlight improved security features as a key factor in strengthening confidence in financial institutions.
  • Customer service and regulation still matter as 17% emphasise better customer service and 6.6% stronger regulatory oversight, showing that while oversight has a role, people prioritise fairness, safety, and service.

Nigeria has paid $57.67 billion in external debt interest in 54 years, with payments rising 1,140% since 2009
  • Nigeria spent $57.67B on external debt interest from 1970 to 2023.
  • Payments were low initially but rose steadily as borrowing increased.
  • In the 1990s, interest payments fluctuated due to debt rescheduling and restructuring agreements.
  • In 2005, payments jumped to $5.31B following a strategic debt buyback that accelerated obligations.
  • Annual payments climbed 1,139.6%, from $0.31B to $3.79B, showing rising debt service costs.

Nigeria’s trade balance from 2008 to 2023 showed exports outpacing imports with a 57.7% share
  • Nigeria maintained a positive trade balance, with exports accounting for 57.7% against imports at 42.3%.
  • Oil and gas remain the backbone of Nigeria’s export dominance, shaping the overall surplus.
  • The import share reflects the country’s reliance on foreign goods, particularly refined petroleum, machinery, and food products.
  • Sustaining export strength while reducing import dependency remains key to Nigeria’s long-term economic resilience.

While Angola's debt service-to-GDP hits 68%, Algeria’s is 0.1%, showing huge variety in debt burdens
  • Angola and Ethiopia account for the highest debt service-to-GDP ratios in Africa, both exceeding 67%.
  • East Africa dominates the high debt-servicing bracket, with five countries among the top ten most burdened.
  • Algeria has the lowest debt service-to-GDP ratio on the continent at just 0.10%.
  • There’s a wide gap between the top and bottom debt service burdens, reflecting divergent fiscal paths across Africa.
  • Low debt servicing doesn’t automatically mean economic strength—it may reflect limited borrowing capacity.

While many other African nations face a high debt burden, Algeria's already low debt keeps falling to a projected 0.09% in 2025
  • Algeria’s debt service per GDP dropped from 0.77% in 2009 to a projected 0.09% in 2025.
  • The country’s debt service per GDP declined at a -11.9% CAGR from 2009–2025.
  • A high of 0.73% occurred in 2012 before the consistent decline resumed.
  • By 2015, the country's debt service fell to 0.27%, showing progress in reduction.
  • The lowest point is forecast for 2025, at 0.09% of GDP.
  • Algeria’s debt burden is among the lowest in Africa, contrasting with the rising trend in many other nations.
  • This low debt service level allows for greater fiscal flexibility in public spending and investment.

Nigeria's debt service per GDP increased from 0.7% in 2015 to 10.2% in 2024, with 2025 forecasted to reach 15.1%
  • Nigeria's debt service per GDP rose from 0.9% in 2009 to a projected 15.1% in 2025.
  • Overall CAGR from 2009 to 2025 is 17.8%.
  • President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure saw the fastest growth (29.1% CAGR).
  • Under President Goodluck Jonathan, growth was slower (6.5% CAGR).
  • President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s term so far shows a 27.6% CAGR.

Angola's debt burden reached a new peak in 2024, with its debt service hitting 68.3% of GDP
  • Debt service in Angola hit 68.3% of GDP in 2024.
  • Even with a projected fall to 67.7% in 2025, the debt burden remains high.
  • Between 2009 and 2025, the debt service ratio grew at a CAGR of 11.2%.
  • The ratio stayed below 15% from 2009 to 2014 before surging to 41.9% in 2016.
  • Angola has faced multiple spikes above 50% since 2019, showing recurring debt strain.
  • The sharp drop to 31.2% in 2022 was short-lived, followed by a steep increase.

Three African countries have a debt-to-GDP ratio above 100%, with Sudan at 238.8%
  • Sudan’s debt-to-GDP ratio of 238.8% is the highest in Africa and over twice the size of its economy.
  • Three African countries—Sudan, Cabo Verde, and Zambia—have debt burdens exceeding 100% of their GDP.
  • Egypt, Mozambique, and the Congo Republic follow closely with ratios above 88% each, despite efforts at economic reform.
  • Ghana and Sierra Leone are also in the top 10, showing that West Africa isn’t exempt from debt pressure.
  • Nigeria, while not in the top 10, has a debt-to-GDP ratio of 41.3% and ranks 43rd in Africa.
  • A high debt-to-GDP ratio often limits a country’s ability to invest in growth-driving sectors, even if the economy is growing nominally.

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