Experts Projects $40bn Infrastructure Spending For Nigeria By 2050

Infrastructure spend in Nigeria is projected to rise by 77 per cent to $40 billion by 2050, maintaining its position as Africa’s largest market and ranking 23rd globally.

This was contained in the PwC newly released report on Global Infrastructure Outlook 2025–2050, developed with Oxford Economics.

The report highlighted a major structural expansion in global infrastructure investment over the next 25 years.

The report said global infrastructure is entering an unprecedented investment cycle, with annual spending forecast to rise from $4.4 trillion in 2024 to $6.9 trillion in 2050.

It added that across the period, cumulative global investment is forecast to reach $151.1 trillion, as countries modernise transport, power and industrial systems to meet the demands of AI, electrification and urbanisation.

The report highlighted that investment in power, transport and digital infrastructure will converge to create more intelligent networks, where traditional assets operate as part of connected, digitally enabled and electrified systems.

Global Infrastructure Leader, PwC Australia, Clara Cutajar said, “this is not a traditional construction cycle.

This next generation of infrastructure will be intelligent, connected and adaptable, whether that’s roads built for autonomous vehicles and wireless charging or businesses running automated supply networks powered by clean energy and secure compute.

“Systems will need to anticipate demand, allocate resources dynamically and optimise performance, delivering structural productivity gains across every sector.”

In Nigeria, power infrastructure is projected to be the fastest‑growing sector, with an annual spending forecast to increase by 187 per cent between 2024 and 2050.

This is a rise from $1.1 billion to $3.2 billion, supported by expanding access to electricity, decarbonisation goals and rising demand.

Speaking on Nigeria’s infrastructure outlook, partner and capital projects and infrastructure leader, PwC Nigeria, Chioma Obaro added, “Africa is expected to record the fastest infrastructure investment growth globally through 2050, driven by rapid population growth, urbanisation and the need to close long‑standing infrastructure gaps.”

According to Obaro, Nigeria already leads the continent’s infrastructure market, with annual spending projected to rise by 77 per cent to $40 billion by 2050, maintaining its number one position in Africa and ranking 23rd globally.

“This growth will be shaped by increased investment in transport connectivity, a rapid expansion of power infrastructure, and rising demand for digital and smart infrastructure to support future economic growth.

“To unlock this potential, stronger public‑private collaboration will be essential to deliver investment‑ready projects and build a more sustainable future for generations to come.”

Global infrastructure leader, PwC Australia, Clara Cutajar added that “the opportunity is real, but it is not automatic. Without faster delivery, integrated planning and new commercial models, the scale of planned investment risks falling short of its economic potential. Those who move fastest to integrate planning, finance and delivery will define the next era of infrastructure and capture the returns that come with it.”