UK Tops Source as Nigeria’s Capital Inflows Rise to $6.44bn
Nigeria’s capital importation rose to $6.44bn in the fourth quarter of 2025, with the United Kingdom emerging as the leading source of inflows, underscoring renewed foreign investor interest in the country’s financial markets.
Latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that the figure represents a 26.61 per cent increase from the $5.09bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2024, alongside a 7.13 per cent rise from the preceding quarter, signalling sustained improvement in capital inflows.
The report, released on Wednesday, stated, “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 with the preceding quarter, capital importation increased by 7.13 per cent from $6.01bn in Q3 2025.”
A breakdown of the data showed that portfolio investment remained the dominant component of inflows, accounting for $5.49bn or 85.14 per cent of the total. Foreign direct investment contributed $357.80m, representing 5.55 per cent, while other investments stood at $599.65m or 9.31 per cent.
Further analysis indicated that money market instruments accounted for $3.08bn of portfolio inflows, while bonds contributed $1.97bn, showing continued investor preference for short-term and fixed-income assets.
Sectoral distribution revealed that the banking sector attracted the largest share of capital importation, receiving $3.85bn or 59.75 per cent of total inflows.
The financing sector followed with $1.94bn, representing 30.15 per cent, while the production sector accounted for $308.93m or 4.79 per cent.
Other sectors, such as telecommunications, agriculture, and oil and gas, recorded comparatively lower inflows, highlighting the concentration of foreign investment in financial services.
By country of origin, the United Kingdom emerged as the leading source of capital, contributing $3.73bn or 57.94 per cent of total inflows. The United States accounted for $837.91m, representing 13.00 per cent, while South Africa contributed $516.96m or 8.02 per cent. Belgium and Mauritius also featured among key sources of investment.
On the banking side, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc led capital importation with $2.23bn, representing 34.58 per cent of total inflows. It was followed by Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited with $1.85bn or 28.75 per cent, and Citibank Nigeria Limited with $840.72m, accounting for 13.05 per cent.
Other banks, including Access Bank Plc, Rand Merchant Bank, and First City Monument Bank, recorded smaller shares of inflows.
The data points to improving investor sentiment towards Nigeria’s financial markets, particularly in short-term instruments, although the relatively low level of foreign direct investment suggests that long-term capital inflows into the real sector remain weak.