Nigeria will, for the first time, host the technical meeting of the Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four (G-24), with policymakers and economic experts expected in Abuja from February 18 to 20.
The gathering will take place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja and forms part of Nigeria’s role as chair of the group for 2026.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday, G-24 Director Masha said the bloc was established about 54 years ago during a period of intense global economic instability, to give developing nations a united platform in discussions with advanced economies.
She explained that the group represents major economies in the Global South on critical issues such as exchange rate policies, development financing, international taxation and trade.
Masha noted that the continued dominance of the United States dollar in global transactions still shapes economic outcomes for poorer countries, underscoring the need for reforms that better reflect their realities.
She added that many G-24 members depend heavily on external funding due to weak domestic capital markets, making development finance a persistent concern.
According to her, the bloc maintains close engagement with the global financial system to improve access to affordable funding, while also pushing for stronger international tax cooperation amid growing worries over illicit financial flows and tax avoidance by multinational corporations.
She disclosed that the G-24 currently comprises 29 member countries, alongside observer nations and organisations such as the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, and the International Labour Organisation.
Headquartered in Washington, DC, the group holds two ministerial meetings annually on the sidelines of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund gatherings.
Masha said the Abuja meeting will bring together technical officials to harmonise policy positions ahead of those global meetings, adding that about 45 delegates are expected, alongside representatives of Nigerian government agencies.
The programme will feature five major panel sessions, beginning with discussions on the future of the Bretton Woods institutions as the World Bank and IMF mark 80 years, and their impact on developing economies.
Another session will examine domestic resource mobilisation and digital taxation, including how countries can better tax global tech giants like Google and Facebook.
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Climate change and energy transition will also be in focus, particularly for developing and oil-exporting nations whose revenues and employment remain closely tied to fossil fuels.
On the second day, participants will deliberate on financial inclusion and monetary stability, with attention on how rapid digitalisation has widened access to banking while creating new challenges for central banks.
The final panel will centre on regional trade and economic integration, drawing lessons from shifting global supply chains and Africa’s evolving trade landscape.
The event is being hosted by Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Finance in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Masha said the overall theme of the meeting focuses on mobilising finance for sustainable, inclusive and job-creating growth.
She added that internationally recognised experts, including José Antonio Ocampo and Saul Piziotto, are expected to take part in the sessions.