A new independent research report conducted by Public First reveals that Meta’s family of apps—including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, Threads, and Meta AI—is driving massive economic growth in Nigeria, contributing an estimated $820 million in annual economic value. The “Nigeria’s Digital Economy” study highlights how these platforms serve as critical infrastructure for the nation’s bustling entrepreneurial landscape. With deeper digital adoption and the right policy conditions, researchers project this economic contribution could more than double, potentially reaching $2 billion.

The report underscores the vital role Meta plays for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) navigating one of the world’s most dynamic digital markets. In 2025 alone, 14 million Nigerian SMEs utilized Meta’s applications to start and scale their businesses, directly contributing $2 billion to the country’s GDP. Furthermore, the widespread adoption of instant messaging tools for business operations delivered an estimated $640 million in productivity gains by streamlining communication and operations.

A significant driver of this growth is geographic expansion. The study found that 81% of online businesses surveyed credit Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp with expanding their customer base far beyond their local borders. This digital reach effectively levels the playing field, reducing customer acquisition costs and giving a business based in Kano the exact same advertising and commerce tools available to enterprises in Lagos, London, or New York. The platforms are tightly woven into daily life, with 93% of online adults stating they feel more connected to a wider community through Meta’s apps.

The study also identifies WhatsApp as Nigeria’s primary gateway to artificial intelligence. Mirroring a broader regional trend where 93% of Meta AI prompts in Sub-Saharan Africa are made via WhatsApp, Nigerians are adopting AI seamlessly through an application they already use daily. Looking forward, artificial intelligence represents Nigeria’s next major economic frontier. The research estimates that with a strategic combination of investment, smart innovation policies, and infrastructure, AI adoption could add a staggering $22 billion to Nigeria’s GDP by 2035.

There is also a strong push for localized, open-source technology, with 87% of online Nigerians stating that AI products developed within Africa will be crucial for the continent’s economic future. Open-source AI models present a unique opportunity for Nigerian developers, creators, and businesses to build tailored solutions in local languages to solve distinct local needs. Backed by robust opinion research and rigorous economic modeling using IMF and World Bank forecasts, the study paints a picture of a nation exceptionally well-positioned to lead Africa’s next decade of digital growth.