Nigeria’s capital importation jumps 84% to $10.37bn in Q1 2026
By Victor Idajili
Nigeria attracted $10.37 billion in capital importation in the first quarter of 2026, an 83.83% jump from $5.64 billion recorded in Q1 2025, the National Bureau of Statistics reported Wednesday.
The Q1 2026 figure also marks a 60.97% increase from the $6.44 billion recorded in Q4 2025, according to the NBS Capital Importation report.
Portfolio investment accounted for the bulk of inflows at $9.86 billion, or 95.09% of total capital imported. “Other Investment” followed with $374.48 million, representing 3.61%.
Foreign Direct Investment remained weak at $135.08 million, just 1.30% of total inflows — a persistent concern for long-term economic growth.
By sector, banking received the most capital at $7.55 billion, or 72.79% of total inflows. The financing sector followed with $2.43 billion, 23.42%. Production/manufacturing attracted only $152.27 million, representing 1.47%.
The United Kingdom was the largest source of capital, contributing $5.08 billion or 49.01% of total inflows. The United States came second with $3.18 billion, 30.69%. South Africa ranked third with $983.83 million, 9.49%.
Among financial institutions, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria led with $4.41 billion, 42.56% of total capital imported. Stanbic IBTC Bank followed with $2.78 billion, 26.79%. Rand Merchant Bank received $930.82 million, 8.97%.
The surge suggests renewed investor interest in Nigeria’s financial markets, but the heavy skew toward portfolio investment over FDI highlights that foreign investors still prefer short-term, liquid assets over long-term projects and factories.
