Capital Importation into Nigeria Rises 26.6% to $6.44bn in Q4

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigeria recorded a 26.6 per cent increase in capital inflows in the fourth quarter of 2025, with total importation at $6.44 billion from $5.09 billion in the corresponding quarter of 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

On a quarter-on-quarter basis, inflows into the country also increased by 7.13 per cent from $6.01 billion in Q3 2025.

A breakdown of the figures from the stats office showed that portfolio investment dominated inflows during the period, accounting for $5.49 billion or 85.1 per cent of total capital imported.

Other investments contributed $599.65 million, representing 9.31 per cent, while foreign direct investment stood at $357.80 million, accounting for 5.55 per cent.

Sectoral analysis showed that the banking sector attracted the largest share of capital inflows, receiving $3.85 billion, which represented 59.8 per cent of the total.

The financing sector followed with $1.94 billion or 30.2 per cent, while the production and manufacturing sector recorded $308.93 million, accounting for 4.8 per cent.

In terms of the source of capital, the United Kingdom emerged as the largest contributor, accounting for $3.73 billion or 57.94 per cent of total inflows.

The United States followed with $837.91 million, representing 13.00 per cent, while South Africa contributed $516.96 million, accounting for 8.02 per cent.

In terms of banks that received the inflows, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc received the highest capital inflow among financial institutions, with $2.23 billion or 34.6 per cent of the total. It was followed by Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Ltd with $1.85 billion (28.8 per cent), and Citibank Nigeria Limited with $840.72 million, representing 13.1 per cent.

The increase in capital importation indicates continued investor interest in Nigeria’s financial markets, particularly in short-term portfolio assets, amid evolving macroeconomic and monetary policy conditions.