Nigeria’s Capital importation jumps 88% to $23.21bn in 2025

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By Elizabeth Adegbesan

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Capital inflows into Nigeria surged by 88.5 percent year-on-year (YoY) to $23.21 billion in 2025, up from $12.31 billion in 2024, signaling stronger foreign investor confidence amid foreign exchange market liberalisation and high portfolio investment.

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Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Capital Importation Report for 2025 showed that capital inflows stood at $5.64 billion in Q1 2025, declined slightly by 9.2 percent to $5.12 billion in Q2, then rose by 17.4 percent to $6.01 billion in Q3, and further increased by 7.15 percent to $6.44 billion in Q4.

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According to the NBS report: Q4 2025 capital importation was $6.44 billion, up 26.61 percent from $5.09 billion in Q4 2024.

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Portfolio investment dominated with $5.49 billion (85.14% of total), followed by Other Investment at $599.65 million (9.31%) and Foreign Direct Investment at $357.80 million (5.55%).

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By sector, the Banking sector received the largest inflow with $3.85 billion (59.75%), followed by the Financing sector at $1.94 billion (30.15%) and the Production/Manufacturing sector at $308.93 million (4.79%).

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By country of origin, the UK contributed $3.73 billion (57.94%), the US $837.91 million (13%), and South Africa $516.96 million (8.02%).

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By recipient bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc led with $2.23 billion (34.58%), followed by Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Ltd with $1.85 billion (28.75%) and CitiBank Nigeria Ltd with $840.72 million (13.05%).

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The NBS analysis highlights sustained investor interest in Nigeria’s capital markets and reflects confidence in the country’s economic reforms and liberalised financial environment.

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