Nigeria attracted $10.37bn in capital importation in the first quarter of 2026, representing an 83.83 per cent increase from the $5.64bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2025, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
The latest Capital Importation Report released by the bureau on Wednesday also showed that capital inflows rose by 60.97 per cent from $6.44bn recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025, reflecting renewed foreign investor interest in the country’s financial markets.
The report stated, “In Q1 2026, total capital importation into Nigeria stood at $10.37bn, higher than $5.64bn recorded in Q1 2025, indicating an increase of 83.83 per cent. In comparison to the preceding quarter, capital importation increased by 60.97 per cent from $6.44bn in Q4 2025.”
Analysis of the inflows showed that portfolio investment remained the dominant source of foreign capital, accounting for $9.86bn or 95.09 per cent of the total amount imported into the economy.
The NBS disclosed that foreign direct investment stood at $135.08m, representing only 1.30 per cent of total capital inflows, while other investments accounted for $374.48m or 3.61 per cent.
“Portfolio Investment ranked top with $9.86bn, accounting for 95.09 per cent, followed by Other Investment with $374.48m, accounting for 3.61 per cent. Foreign Direct Investment recorded the least with $135.08m, representing 1.30 per cent of total capital importation in Q1 2026,” the report added.
A further breakdown showed that money market instruments attracted the largest share of portfolio investments at $6.50bn, while investments in bonds amounted to $3.23bn. Equity investments under the portfolio category stood at $131.81m.
The banking sector emerged as the biggest destination for foreign capital during the quarter, attracting $7.55bn, representing 72.79 per cent of total inflows.
The financing sector followed with $2.43bn or 23.42 per cent, while the production and manufacturing sector attracted $152.27m, accounting for 1.47 per cent of total capital imported.
According to the report, “The Banking sector recorded the highest inflow with $7.55bn, representing 72.79 per cent of total capital imported in Q1 2026, followed by the Financing sector, valued at $2.43bn (23.42 per cent), and Production/Manufacturing sector with $152.27m (1.47 per cent).”
Other sectors that received foreign investments included shares, trading, agriculture, information technology services, telecommunications, oil and gas, transport, construction, healthcare, education and consultancy services.
The United Kingdom remained Nigeria’s largest source of foreign capital, accounting for $5.08bn or 49.01 per cent of total inflows.
The United States followed with $3.18bn, representing 30.69 per cent, while South Africa accounted for $983.83m or 9.49 per cent.
The NBS said, “Capital Importation during the reference period originated largely from the United Kingdom with $5.08bn, representing 49.01 per cent of the total capital imported. This was followed by the United States with $3.18bn (30.69 per cent) and the Republic of South Africa with $983.83m (9.49 per cent).”
Among financial institutions, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited received the highest capital inflow during the quarter at $4.41bn, representing 42.56 per cent of the total.
Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc followed with $2.78bn or 26.79 per cent, while Rand Merchant Bank handled $930.82m, accounting for 8.97 per cent.
Other banks that facilitated capital inflows into the country during the period included Citibank Nigeria, Access Bank, First Bank of Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank, Zenith Bank, FCMB, Ecobank, Fidelity Bank and United Bank for Africa.
The report noted that the capital importation data was compiled from information supplied by the Central Bank of Nigeria and captured fresh foreign capital reported by commercial banks. It added that the figures did not include other components of foreign direct investment, such as reinvested earnings.
The PUNCH earlier reported that foreign direct investment into Nigeria plunged by 80 per cent in January 2026 as foreign investors increasingly channelled funds into bonds and money market instruments, despite a sharp rise in overall capital inflows.
