The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), says Nigeria’s capital importation rose dramatically to $6.01 billion in the third quarter of 2025, marking a 380.16% increase from the $1.25 billion reported in the same quarter of 2024.
The NBS released this information in its latest report on Nigeria’s capital Importation for Q3 2025, published on its website on Saturday.
The report also indicated a quarter-on-quarter increase in capital inflows, which grew by 17.46% from $5.12 billion in the second quarter of 2025 to $6.01 billion in Q3.
“In Q3 2025, total capital importation into Nigeria reached $6.01 billion, significantly higher than the $1.25 billion recorded in Q3 2024, reflecting a 380.16% rise.
Compared to the previous quarter, capital importation increased by 17.46% from $5.12 billion in Q2 2025,” the report stated.
A detailed analysis revealed that portfolio investments dominated the inflows during this period, contributing $4.85 billion, or 80.70% of the total capital imported.
Other investments followed with $864.57 million (14.37%), while foreign direct investment was the smallest category at $296.25 million (4.93%).
Further insights from the report showed that within the portfolio investment category, money market instruments attracted $2.95 billion, while bonds accounted for $1.58 billion. Equity investments in this category totaled $328.10 million.
In terms of foreign direct investment, equity inflows were $281.61 million, with other capital contributing $14.64 million.
Sector-wise analysis indicated that the banking sector attracted the most inflows, totaling $3.14 billion, which represented 52.25% of the total capital imported for the quarter.
The financing sector followed with $1.86 billion (30.85%), while the manufacturing sector recorded $261.35 million (4.35%).
Other sectors with significant inflows included electrical ($244.86 million), telecommunications ($208.51 million), and shares ($94.89 million).
The trading sector attracted $80.94 million, while real estate received $61.07 million. Lower inflows were noted in agriculture ($24.67 million), information technology services ($11.55 million), and transport ($5.23 million).
The oil and gas sector received $4.60 million, and construction attracted $2.88 million.
Public administration and defense accounted for $0.35 million, brewing $0.10 million, marketing $0.06 million, arts, entertainment, and recreation $0.04 million, and health and social work $0.02 million.
An analysis by banks showed that Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited received the highest capital inflow at $2.12 billion, representing 35.17% of the total. Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc followed with $1.79 billion (29.75%), while Citibank Nigeria Limited recorded $561.40 million (9.33%).
Access Bank Plc attracted $385.03 million, Rand Merchant Bank received $306.92 million, Ecobank Nigeria Plc garnered $299.91 million, and First Bank of Nigeria Plc recorded $254.29 million. Zenith Bank Plc received $94 million.
First City Monument Bank Plc reported $49.27 million, while United Bank for Africa Plc received $8.39 million. Sterling Bank Plc noted $3.10 million, FSDH Merchant Bank Limited $2.87 million, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc $2.30 million, and Titan Trust Bank Ltd $1.94 million.
Polaris Bank recorded $1.73 million, Wema Bank Plc $1.16 million, Keystone Bank Ltd $0.22 million, and Providus Bank Plc $0.16 million.
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In terms of country of origin, the United Kingdom was the largest contributor of capital inflows into Nigeria for the quarter, totaling $2.94 billion or 48.80 percent of the total capital imported.
The United States followed with $950.47 million, making up 15.80 percent, while the Republic of South Africa contributed $773.95 million or 12.87 percent.
Other significant sources included Mauritius with $451.46 million and the Netherlands with $282.90 million.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) mentioned in its methodology that the data were sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria and reflect new capital entering the economy as reported by commercial banks, excluding other elements of foreign direct investment, such as reinvested earnings.
