BANGKOK — The International Monetary Fund has raised its 2026 growth forecast for Nigeria to 4.2 per cent and expects 4.3 per cent in 2027, according to its World Economic Outlook released on Tuesday. It credited improved macroeconomic stability and favourable terms of trade, but warned that higher prices of essential goods could worsen poverty and food insecurity. The IMF kept its global growth forecast at 3.1 per cent for 2026 and raised 2027 to 3.4 per cent. It expects global inflation of 4.7 per cent this year, driven by energy and food prices linked to the Middle East war.