The World Bank has flagged a $12.4 billion unexplained gap in Nigeria’s external accounts for the first half of 2026, raising concerns about missing revenue that could affect the country’s balance of payments.
The gap represents the difference between reported inflows and outflows in Nigeria’s external accounts, which track foreign‑exchange flows and are monitored by the Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance.
According to the World Bank, the missing amount may partly reflect oil‑export earnings that were not repatriated to Nigeria, a country that is Africa’s largest economy and a major oil exporter.
Such a discrepancy highlights the need for greater transparency and accurate accounting of foreign‑exchange earnings to ensure reliable reporting of Nigeria’s external finances.
The World Bank’s finding underscores the importance of robust financial oversight to maintain confidence in Nigeria’s economic data and fiscal health.
<small>Source: AllAfrica Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>