Capital Importation Rises 26.6% To $6.44bn In Q4 — NBS

Nigeria recorded a significant increase in capital inflows in the fourth quarter of 2025, with total importation rising to $6.44 billion, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The latest data showed that capital importation grew by 26.61 per cent compared to $5.09 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2024. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, inflows also increased by 7.13 per cent from $6.01 billion in Q3 2025.

A breakdown of the figures indicated that portfolio investment dominated inflows during the period, accounting for $5.49 billion or 85.14 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 59.75 per cent of the total.

The financing sector followed with $1.94 billion or 30.15 per cent, while the production and manufacturing sector recorded $308.93 million, accounting for 4.79 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.

Further analysis revealed that Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc received the highest capital inflow among financial institutions, with $2.23 billion or 34.58 per cent of the total.

It was followed by Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Ltd with $1.85 billion (28.75 per cent), and Citibank Nigeria Ltd with $840.72 million, representing 13.05 per cent.

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