Nigeria’s Capital Importation Surges 84% to $10.37 Billion in Q1 2026 — NBS

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Nigeria attracted $10.37 billion in capital importation in the first quarter of 2026, representing an 83.83 per cent increase from the $5.64 billion recorded in the same period in 2025, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

The latest Capital Importation Report released by the bureau on Wednesday also showed that capital inflows rose by 60.97 per cent from $6.44 billion recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025, reflecting renewed foreign investor interest in the country’s financial markets.

However, the report revealed that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), often regarded as the most stable form of capital inflow because of its long-term nature, contributed the least. FDI stood at $135.08 million, accounting for just 1.30 per cent of total capital importation.

Portfolio investment remained the dominant source of foreign capital, accounting for $9.86 billion or 95.09 per cent of the total amount imported into the economy. Other investments, which include loans and trade credits, amounted to $374.48 million, representing 3.61 per cent.

A further breakdown showed that money market instruments attracted the largest share of portfolio investments at $6.50 billion, while investments in bonds amounted to $3.23 billion. Equity investments under the portfolio category stood at $131.81 million.

The banking sector emerged as the biggest destination for foreign capital during the quarter, attracting $7.55 billion, representing 72.79 per cent of total inflows. The financing sector followed with $2.43 billion or 23.42 per cent, while the production and manufacturing sector attracted $152.27 million.

The United Kingdom remained Nigeria’s largest source of foreign capital, accounting for $5.08 billion or 49.01 per cent of total inflows. The United States followed with $3.18 billion, representing 30.69 per cent, while South Africa accounted for $983.83 million or 9.49 per cent.

Among financial institutions, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited received the highest capital inflow during the quarter at $4.41 billion, representing 42.56 per cent of the total. Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc followed with $2.78 billion, while Rand Merchant Bank handled $930.82 million.

While the rising capital inflows are positive for foreign exchange liquidity and investor confidence, experts note that greater emphasis on attracting direct investments into manufacturing, infrastructure and other productive sectors will be critical for achieving sustainable economic growth.

Sources: Punch, Leadership, Nairametrics