Nigeria recorded a total capital importation of $6.44bn in the fourth quarter of 2025, reflecting a 26.61 per cent increase from the $5.09bn posted in the corresponding period of 2024.
Data released on Wednesday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) also showed that capital inflows grew by 7.13 per cent compared to $6.01bn recorded in the third quarter of 2025, indicating sustained improvement in foreign investment into the country.
According to the report, total capital importation in Q4 2025 rose significantly on both a year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter basis.
“In Q4 2025, total capital importation into Nigeria stood at $6.44bn, higher than $5.09bn recorded in Q4 2024, indicating an increase of 26.61 per cent on a year-on-year basis.
“In comparison to the preceding quarter, capital importation increased by 7.13 per cent from $6.01bn in Q3 2025,” the report stated.
A breakdown of the figures showed that portfolio investment remained the dominant source of inflows. It accounted for $5.49bn, representing 85.14 per cent of the total capital imported during the quarter.
Meanwhile, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) contributed $357.80m, representing 5.55 per cent, while other investments stood at $599.65m, accounting for 9.31 per cent.
Further analysis revealed that money market instruments made up $3.08bn of portfolio inflows, while bonds contributed $1.97bn, reflecting strong investor interest in short-term and fixed-income assets.
Sectoral analysis showed that the banking sector attracted the largest share of capital importation. It received $3.85bn, representing 59.75 per cent of total inflows.
The financing sector followed with $1.94bn, accounting for 30.15 per cent, while the production sector attracted $308.93m, representing 4.79 per cent.
Other sectors such as telecommunications, agriculture, and oil and gas recorded relatively lower inflows, highlighting the concentration of foreign investment within Nigeria’s financial services sector.
By country of origin, the United Kingdom emerged as the leading source of capital inflow, contributing $3.73bn, which represented 57.94 per cent of the total.
The United States accounted for $837.91m or 13.00 per cent, while South Africa contributed $516.96m, representing 8.02 per cent. Belgium and Mauritius were also listed among notable investment sources.
On the banking side, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc led capital importation with $2.23bn, representing 34.58 per cent of the total inflows.
It was followed by Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited with $1.85bn or 28.75 per cent, while Citibank Nigeria Limited recorded $840.72m, accounting for 13.05 per cent.
Other financial institutions, including Access Bank Plc, Rand Merchant Bank, and First City Monument Bank, recorded smaller shares of the inflows.
The NBS data suggests improving investor confidence in Nigeria’s financial markets, particularly in short-term instruments. However, the relatively low level of foreign direct investment indicates that long-term capital inflows into the real sector remain limited.
