Lagos State's year-end outstanding foreign debt peaked in 2017, before gradually easing to $1.17 billion as of 2024

  • From just $190 million in 2006, Lagos State's year-end external debt rose significantly to over $1.1 billion by 2024, a more than 500% increase over 19 years.
  • The highest year-end debt was recorded in 2017 at $1.47 billion, with a gradual decline afterwards, except for a brief rise again in 2022–2023.
  • By 2024, Lagos State's external debt dipped slightly to $1.17 billion, suggesting some debt service or currency gain effects.
  • If Lagos State paid off or borrowed funds in a given year, only the remaining unpaid amount by year-end is shown in the data.

This chart tracks Lagos State’s external debt from 2006 to 2024, showing the outstanding balances as of December 31 each year.

This approach reveals what Lagos State still owed to external creditors (such as World Bank, China Exim Bank, or foreign bondholders) at the end of every year.

Over the 19 years, Lagos’ foreign debt grew over fivefold, rising from $190 million in 2006 to $1.17 billion in 2024. The peak came in 2017 with $1.47 billion in outstanding obligations, likely reflecting aggressive borrowing under ambitious capital development drives.

While some years show slight reductions (2018–2024), the general trend confirms Lagos State's deepening reliance on external financing to support infrastructure and service delivery in the face of population growth and urban pressure.

Understanding that these figures are point-in-time balances and not cumulative totals is crucial. They reflect the net amount still owed after all new loans and repayments throughout the year.

The 2024 figure ($1.17B) indicates some fiscal restraint or debt repayment efforts, but the state still remains heavily exposed to external liabilities and vulnerable to currency depreciation since external debts are dollar-denominated.

Source:

National Bureau of Statistics

Period:

2006-2024
HTML code to embed chart
Want a bespoke report?
Reach out
Click to copy HTML embed code
Tags
Related Insights
Lafarge Africa delivered decade-high ₦697b revenue in 2024, with H1 2025 already at ₦517bn
  • Lafarge Africa's revenue hit a decade-high of ₦697bn in 2024, reflecting a strong 71.7% year-on-year growth.
  • With ₦517bn in H1 2025 alone, Lafarge Africa has already achieved nearly 74% of 2024’s full-year revenue, signalling potential to surpass last year’s record if momentum continues.
  • The company has experienced sharp swings, including steep drops in 2016 (-17.8%) and 2019 (-30.9%).
  • Despite volatility, Lafarge has grown from ₦260bn in 2014 to ₦697bn in 2024, showing long-term expansion.
South Africa’s share of Africa’s GDP has averaged 20% since 1960, peaking in early 1990s
  • South Africa’s share of Africa’s GDP has averaged around 20% since 1960.
  • The country’s relative dominance peaked in the early 1990s at nearly 28% of continental GDP.
  • Nominal GDP grew steadily from $8.7 billion in 1960 to over $400 billion in 2024.
  • South Africa’s share of Africa’s GDP has generally declined in recent decades as other African economies expanded faster.
  • Despite the relative decline, South Africa remains one of Africa’s largest and most influential economies.
Nigeria’s slice of Africa’s economy since independence: From a peak of 31% to 7% in 2024
  • At independence in 1960, Nigeria contributed about 10% of Africa’s GDP, establishing itself early as one of the continent’s largest economies.
  • Nigeria’s share peaked at 31% in 1981 during the oil boom, highlighting the dramatic impact of natural resources on the economy.
  • Between the mid-1980s and 2000s, Nigeria’s share fluctuated significantly, dropping to 9.2% in 1999 due to political instability, economic mismanagement, and external shocks.
  • By 2024, Nigeria’s share fell to 7.1%, despite a GDP of $187.8 billion, showing slower relative growth compared to other African economies and the ongoing need for economic diversification.
  • This share reflects Nigeria’s relative position in Africa’s economy over time, showing how it moved in relation to the growth of the rest of the continent.
From 2013 to 2024, the Services sector has consistently dominated Ghana’s GDP, while Agriculture has remained the smallest sector
  • From 2013 to 2024, the services sector has consistently dominated Ghana’s GDP, while agriculture has remained the smallest sector.
  • A weak agriculture sector can make Ghana more dependent on food imports.
  • Agriculture’s stagnation reduces its role as a labour buffer.
Inflation tops list of business concerns in Nigeria for 2025, far ahead of other economic challenges
  • Nearly half (48.9%) of Nigerian businesses identify inflation as their greatest economic challenge in 2025.
  • The foreign exchange rate (17.1%) is the second most pressing concern, reflecting ongoing naira volatility.
  • Insecurity (15.6%) and government policies (10.0%) remain significant worries for business operations.
  • Inadequate infrastructure (8.4%), while the least mentioned, continues to constrain growth.
Only one in four Nigerian MSMEs access government support, with grants leading the way
  • Just 25.1% of MSMEs report receiving any form of government support, while 74.9% remain untouched by initiatives.
  • Among those who benefitted, 41.1% accessed grants, making it the most common form of support.
  • 22.1% of MSMEs participated in government training programmes, showing recognition of capacity-building needs.
  • Only 16% received loans and 13.8% got tax breaks, underscoring limited financial and fiscal support penetration.
  • A mere 6.9% of businesses report accessing subsidies, reflecting minimal impact of such schemes.
POPULAR TOPICS
SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Get periodic updates about the African startup space, access to our reports, among others.
Subscribe Here
Subscription Form
A product of Techpoint Africa. All rights reserved