Nigeria Records 26.6 Percent Surge In Quarterly Capital Importation Reaching 6.44 Billion Dollars In Late 2025

NBS reports a 26.6% rise in Nigeria's capital inflows. Portfolio investment leads at $5.49bn, with the UK remaining the top source of foreign capital.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 26, 2026, 12:07 PM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from LEADERSHIP

A Substantial Leap In Foreign Capital Inflows

Nigeria has experienced a notable acceleration in its ability to attract international capital, with the fourth quarter of 2025 seeing total importation rise to $6.44 billion. This figure represents a robust 26.61 percent increase compared to the $5.09 billion recorded during the same period in 2024. Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) suggests that the country is maintaining a steady upward trajectory, as these figures also reflect a quarter on quarter growth of over seven percent from the third quarter of the same year.

Portfolio Investments Dominate The Financial Landscape

The composition of these inflows reveals a heavy leaning toward short term financial assets rather than long term industrial commitments. Portfolio investments accounted for a staggering 85.14 percent of the total capital imported, amounting to $5.49 billion. In contrast, foreign direct investment, which typically involves more permanent physical assets and infrastructure, stood at a modest $357.80 million. This distribution indicates that while international investors are keen on liquid Nigerian assets, there remains a more cautious approach toward long term structural projects.

Banking Sector Emerges As The Primary Beneficiary

A sectoral analysis of the NBS data confirms that the banking industry is the overwhelming recipient of foreign interest, capturing nearly 60 percent of all capital inflows. The sector received $3.85 billion during the quarter, far outstripping the financing sector, which took in $1.94 billion. Meanwhile, the production and manufacturing sector, a critical area for domestic economic diversification, recorded a relatively low inflow of $308.93 million. This concentration within the financial services sector highlights a market currently focused on monetary policy conditions and high yield financial instruments.