The International Monetary Fund (IMF) have vowed to intensify efforts in tracing stolen public funds, proceeds of criminal activities, and untraceable digital transactions flows that have become major threats to Nigeria’s economic stability as part of its strategy to plug fiscal leakages and strengthen financial integrity.
The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva stated this during the 2025 IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington D.C, highlighted concern over the growing scale of illicit financial flows (IFFs) out of Nigeria and has reinforced its Anti-Mlmoney laundering and the Flfinancing of terrorism framework to combat the problem, warning that such illegal transfers are worsening the country’s revenue challenges and undermining governance.
Despite concerns over IFFs, the IMF upgraded Nigeria’s 2025 economic growth forecast to 3.9 percent, citing stronger domestic fundamentals, improved investor confidence, and higher oil production. The Fund noted that ongoing reforms in the energy and financial sectors, alongside a rebased GDP capturing new sectors like the digital economy, have strengthened the economy.
The IMF also pledged technical support and training for Nigerian authorities to strengthen their capacity to detect and respond to suspicious financial activities and encouraged collaboration between government institutions, civil society, and international partners to restore trust and enhance transparency.
