Nigeria Records 380% Year-on-Year Jump In Capital Importation – NBS

Nigeria’s total capital importation rose significantly in the second and third quarters of 2025, reflecting renewed foreign investor interest in the country, according to fresh data released Monday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

In its latest capital importation report, the NBS said total capital inflow in the second quarter (Q2) of 2025 stood at $5.12 billion, representing a 96.6 per cent increase compared to the $2.60 billion recorded in Q2 2024.

However, the figure marked a 9.24 per cent decline from the $5.64 billion posted in the preceding quarter (Q1 2025).

By the third quarter (Q3) of 2025, capital importation surged further to $6.01 billion, a sharp 380.16 per cent rise from the $1.25 billion recorded in Q3 2024. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, inflows grew by 17.46 per cent from the $5.12 billion recorded in Q2 2025.

The report showed that portfolio investment remained the dominant component of capital inflows during the period under review.

In Q2 2025, portfolio investment accounted for $4.20 billion, representing 82.02 per cent of total inflows. Other investments contributed $777.80 million (15.19 per cent), while Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) recorded the least with $142.67 million, accounting for just 2.79 per cent.

Similarly, in Q3 2025, portfolio investment ranked highest at $4.85 billion, representing 80.70 per cent of total capital imported. Other investment stood at $864.57 million (14.37 per cent), while FDI amounted to $296.25 million, accounting for 4.93 per cent of total inflows.

Sectoral analysis indicated that the banking sector attracted the largest share of capital inflows in both quarters.

In Q2 2025, the banking sector recorded $3.41 billion, representing 66.56 per cent of total capital imported. This was followed by the financing sector with $873.32 million (17.06 per cent) and the electrical sector with $456.37 million (8.91 per cent).

In Q3 2025, the banking sector again topped the chart with $3.14 billion, accounting for 52.25 per cent of total inflows. The financing sector followed with $1.86 billion (30.85 per cent), while the production/manufacturing sector recorded $261.35 million (4.35 per cent).

The United Kingdom emerged as the largest source of capital inflow into Nigeria in both quarters.

In Q2 2025, capital from the UK stood at $1.86 billion, representing 36.33 per cent of total inflows. This was followed by the Republic of South Africa with $1.01 billion (19.80 per cent) and the United States with $909.84 million (17.77 per cent).

In Q3 2025, inflows from the UK rose to $2.94 billion, accounting for 48.80 per cent of total capital imported. The United States followed with $950.47 million (15.80 per cent), while South Africa contributed $773.95 million (12.87 per cent).

The NBS data also showed that leading financial institutions accounted for the bulk of capital importation transactions.

In Q2 2025, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited received the highest inflow at $1.76 billion. Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc followed with $1.60 billion (31.34 per cent), while Rand Merchant Bank recorded $482.18 million (9.42 per cent).

In Q3 2025, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited again led with $2.12 billion (35.17 per cent), followed by Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc with $1.79 billion (29.75 per cent). Citibank Nigeria Limited ranked third with $561.40 million (9.33 per cent).

Overall, the data indicate a strong year-on-year recovery in capital inflows into Nigeria in 2025, driven largely by portfolio investments and increased activity in the banking and financing sectors, even as Foreign Direct Investment continues to account for a relatively small share of total capital importation.