Nigeria R&D Spending
Research and development expenditure as % of GDP GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS
Nigeria's r&d spending was 0.28% in 2019, ranked 67th globally. This represents a 115.1% increase from 2018. Data from World Bank, covering 2007–2019.
Overview
Nigeria's r&d spending stood at 0.28% in 2019, a rise of +0.15% from 2007. Nigeria ranked 67th globally.
Nigeria’s gross domestic expenditure on research and development (R&D) rose from 0.13 percent of GDP in 2007, the all‑time trough, to 0.28 percent in 2019, the all‑time peak and the latest figure reported by the World Bank. This 115 percent increase places Nigeria at rank 67 globally, matching the 0.28 percent level recorded by peers such as Georgia and Mexico, while Colombia and Chile remain slightly ahead at 0.32 and 0.34 percent respectively. The modest upward trajectory reflects gradual improvements in policy incentives and modest growth in higher‑education enrolment, yet the absolute share remains well below the sub‑Saharan African average and far from the 1 percent threshold often cited for knowledge‑based economies. Continued expansion of public‑private research partnerships, stronger protection of intellectual property and increased foreign direct investment in high‑technology sectors could accelerate the pace of R&D spending, potentially shifting Nigeria’s trajectory upward in the coming decade.
Data & projection
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Nigeria matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw r&d spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Nigeria's r&d spending was 0.28% in 2019. Ranked 67th globally. This represents a 115.1% increase from the previous year.
Nigeria's r&d spending peaked at 0.28% in 2019.
The lowest r&d spending in Nigeria was 0.13% in 2007.
Nigeria ranks 67th globally in r&d spending as of 2019.
The World Bank indicator code is GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The r&d spending of Nigeria in 2019 was 0.28%. This ranks 67th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_nigeria_rd-spending,
title = {Nigeria R&D Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/nigeria/rd-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}