Nigeria’s capital importation surged to $6.01bn in the third quarter of 2025, representing a 380.16 per cent increase from $1.25bn recorded in the same period of 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
The NBS disclosed this in its latest Nigeria Capital Importation (Q3 2025) report published on Saturday. Capital inflows also rose by 17.46 per cent compared to the $5.12bn recorded in the second quarter of 2025.
“In Q3 2025, total capital importation into Nigeria stood at $6.01bn, higher than $1.25bn recorded in Q3 2024, indicating an increase of 380.16 per cent. Compared to the preceding quarter, capital importation increased by 17.46 per cent from $5.12bn in Q2 2025,” the report stated.
The data revealed that Portfolio Investment dominated inflows, accounting for $4.85bn or 80.70 per cent of total capital imported. Other Investment followed with $864.57m (14.37%), while Foreign Direct Investment contributed $296.25m (4.93%).
Within Portfolio Investment, money market instruments attracted $2.95bn, bonds $1.58bn, and equities $328.10m. For Foreign Direct Investment, equity inflows were $281.61m, with other capital at $14.64m.
Sector analysis showed that the Banking sector received the highest inflow at $3.14bn (52.25%), followed by the Financing sector with $1.86bn (30.85%) and the Production/Manufacturing sector with $261.35m (4.35%). Other notable sectors included Electrical ($244.86m), Telecommunications ($208.51m), and Shares ($94.89m).
Analysis by banks indicated that Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited received the largest inflow at $2.12bn (35.17%), followed by Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc with $1.79bn (29.75%) and Citibank Nigeria Limited with $561.40m (9.33%). Other banks attracted inflows ranging from $385.03m to below $1m.
By country of origin, the United Kingdom was the largest source of capital inflows, providing $2.94bn (48.80%), followed by the United States ($950.47m, 15.80%) and South Africa ($773.95m, 12.87%). Mauritius and the Netherlands contributed $451.46m and $282.90m respectively.
The report notes that the data, sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria, captures fresh capital entering the economy as reported by commercial banks, excluding reinvested earnings under foreign direct investment.
The strong rebound suggests renewed investor appetite, primarily driven by short-term portfolio flows into money market instruments and bonds, while long-term productive investments remain modest.
Following the trend, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment unveiled plans to deepen trade facilitation and tighten policy execution in 2026, aiming to sustain growth, exports, and job creation.
