BREAKING: Nigeria’s Capital Importation Soars 67% to $5.64 Billion in Q1 2025

NBS has revealed that Nigeria’s Capital Importation soarred 67% to $5.64 billion in Q1 2025 driven by surge in portfolio investments.

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the capital inflows into Nigeria surged to $5.64 billion in the first quarter of 2025, marking a 67.12% increase compared to the $3.38 billion recorded in Q1 2024, according to the latest report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The report, titled “Nigeria Capital Importation Q1 2025”, also reveals a 10.86% rise from the $5.09 billion recorded in the final quarter of 2024 signaling renewed investor confidence in the Nigerian economy.

Portfolio Investment Dominates Inflows

The bulk of the capital inflow came through portfolio investments, which amounted to $5.2 billion, representing 92.25% of the total importation. This was followed by other investments at $311.17 million (5.52%), while Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) remained the lowest at $126.29 million, contributing just 2.24%.

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Top Performing Sectors: Banking Leads the Charge

The banking sector attracted the highest capital inflows in Q1 2025, pulling in $3.13 billion, or 55.44% of total capital importation.

Other key sectors include:

• Financing – $2.09 billion (37.18%)

• Production/Manufacturing – $129.92 million (2.30%)

United Kingdom Remains Leading Source of Capital

The United Kingdom maintained its position as the largest source of capital importation into Nigeria, accounting for $3.68 billion or 65.26% of total inflows.

Other major contributors include:

• South Africa – $501.29 million (8.88%)

• Mauritius – $394.51 million (6.99%)

FCT and Lagos Dominate Capital Importation by Destination

Only five Nigerian states recorded capital importation during the quarter, with Abuja (FCT) and Lagos commanding the lion’s share.

• Abuja (FCT): $3.05 billion (54.11%)

• Lagos State: $2.56 billion (45.44%)

• Ogun State: $7.95 million (0.14%)

• Oyo State: $7.81 million

• Kaduna State: $4.06 million

Top Capital Importation Recipients (by Bank):

• Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Ltd – $2.10 billion

• Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC – $1.40 billion

• Citibank Nigeria Limited – $1.05 billion

The report underscores a strong rebound in Nigeria’s capital importation landscape, fueled by investor optimism, portfolio confidence, and significant activity in the banking and financing sectors.