EU Sets Aside €557m in 2026 Humanitarian Aid for Nigeria, Other African Countries

The European Union has committed €557 million in humanitarian support for Nigeria and other African countries, drawing from its €1.9 billion humanitarian aid envelope for 2026.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS said part of the funding will support communities in Nigeria’s North-West, where insecurity and displacement have continued to deepen humanitarian needs.

The pledge was announced by Hadja Lahbib, the European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. 

Lahbib said the humanitarian system is under growing pressure and warned that public funding alone is no longer sufficient to match the scale of global crises. She noted that the EU is using its position as a leading donor to push for broader support, including stronger participation from the private sector.

Beyond West Africa, the EU also earmarked €14.6 million for North Africa, citing the region’s complex political, economic and social pressures.

Additionally, more than €415 million has been reserved to respond to sudden-onset emergencies worldwide and to maintain a strategic supply chain for humanitarian operations.

At Davos, Lahbib is also expected to engage businesses and investors on financing and innovation options that can complement public aid and improve last-mile delivery to affected populations.