Nigeria has emerged as the highest-ranked African country in the economic performance pillar of the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2026, outperforming South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia and Botswana.
The ranking assesses countries based on key economic indicators, including growth, trade, employment, investment and public finance, to measure overall competitiveness.
The latest report highlights Nigeria’s improved economic performance amid ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing macroeconomic stability, attracting investment and strengthening private sector growth.
Despite leading the continent in the economic performance category, experts note that sustained reforms, infrastructure development and improved ease of doing business remain critical to enhancing Nigeria’s overall global competitiveness.
