Capital importation into Nigeria rose sharply by 88.5 percent year-on-year to $23.21 billion in 2025, up from $12.31 billion recorded in 2024, according to new data released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
An analysis of the Capital Importation Report shows that inflows remained strong throughout the year despite fluctuations across quarters. In the first quarter of 2025, capital importation stood at $5.64 billion before declining by 9.2 percent to $5.12 billion in the second quarter. The trend reversed in the third quarter with a 17.4 percent increase to $6.01 billion, while the fourth quarter recorded a further rise of 7.15 percent to $6.44 billion.
On a year-on-year basis, the fourth quarter figure of $6.44 billion represented a 26.61 percent increase compared to $5.09 billion recorded in the same period of 2024, highlighting renewed investor interest in Africa’s largest economy.
The report shows that portfolio investment dominated inflows, accounting for $5.49 billion or 85.14 percent of total capital imported in the fourth quarter. This was followed by other investments at $599.65 million, representing 9.31 percent, while foreign direct investment contributed $357.80 million, or 5.55 percent.
Read also:
- UK to increase visa, citizenship fees from April, Nigerians affected
- How road project set to boost economy, access in rural Taraba
- Naira shows slight stability against dollar in early Thursday trading
Sectoral analysis indicates that the banking sector attracted the largest share of inflows, receiving $3.85 billion, which represents 59.75 percent of total capital importation in the period. The financing sector followed with $1.94 billion, accounting for 30.15 percent, while the production and manufacturing sector recorded $308.93 million, or 4.79 percent.
In terms of capital origin, the United Kingdom led with $3.73 billion, representing 57.94 percent of total inflows. The United States followed with $837.91 million, while the South Africa contributed $516.96 million.
The strong performance in capital importation signals improving investor confidence, although analysts note that sustaining the trend will depend on macroeconomic stability, policy consistency, and continued reforms aimed at attracting long-term investments.
