The Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported that Nigeria attracted $10.37 billion in foreign capital in Q1 2026, representing an 83.8% increase compared to the $5.64 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.
NBS data released on Wednesday showed that capital inflows also rose by 61% quarter-on-quarter from $6.44 billion recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025, underscoring growing investor appetite for Nigerian financial assets.
“In Q1 2026, total capital importation into Nigeria stood at $10.37 billion, higher than $5.64 billion recorded in Q1 2025, indicating an increase of 83.83%. In comparison to the preceding quarter, capital importation increased by 60.97% from $6.44 billion in Q4 2025.” The report stated.
Portfolio investment remained the primary driver of capital importation during the quarter, accounting for $9.86 billion or 95.1% of total inflows.
The figure represents an 89.5% increase from the corresponding period of 2025 and a 79.8% rise from the previous quarter. Within the category, money market instruments attracted $6.50 billion, while investments in bonds stood at $3.23 billion. The two asset classes jointly accounted for over 98% of portfolio inflows.
In contrast, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) remained weak despite a marginal annual improvement. FDI inflows stood at $135.08 million, representing just 1.3% of total capital importation during the period. While this was 7% higher than the level recorded a year earlier, it declined by more than 62% from the previous quarter.
Other investments contributed $374.48 million, accounting for 3.6% of total inflows. Loans made up the bulk of this category at $364.43 million, while trade credits accounted for $10 million.
Sectoral analysis showed that the banking industry attracted $7.55 billion, representing 72.8% of total capital imported into the country during the quarter. The financing sector followed with $2.43 billion or 23.4%, meaning the two sectors accounted for more than 96% of all inflows recorded during the period.
The production and manufacturing sector received $152.27 million, while investments in shares stood at $75.34 million.
UK, US Lead Investment
The United Kingdom emerged as the largest source of foreign capital into Nigeria during the quarter, accounting for $5.08 billion or 49% of total inflows.
The United States followed with $3.18 billion, representing 30.7%, while South Africa contributed $983.83 million or 9.5% of total capital imported into the country. Mauritius and the United Arab Emirates accounted for $390.07 million and $194.51 million respectively.
Among financial institutions, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited received the largest volume of capital inflows, processing $4.41 billion or 42.6% of total importation.
Stanbic IBTC Bank followed with $2.78 billion, representing 26.8%, while Rand Merchant Bank handled $930.82 million. Citibank Nigeria and Access Bank processed $782.84 million and $710.03 million respectively.
