Capital Importation: Foreign Investors Stake Fresh $5.6Bn on Nigerian Economy

Nigeria’s total capital importation surged to $5.64 billion in the first quarter of 2025, surpassing the $3.38 billion recorded in the same period of 2024.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its Q1, 2025 Capital Importation Report released on Tuesday, this growth represented a significant increase of 67.12%.

The report also revealed a 10.86% increase in capital imports compared to the preceding quarter. In Q4 2024, capital imports totalled $5.09 billion.

The Breakdown

• According to the capital inflow report, portfolio investment emerged as the top category, accounting for 92.25% of the total capital imports at $5.2 billion.
• Other investments followed closely behind, contributing 5.52% at $311.17 million.
• Foreign direct investment (FDI) had the lowest share, comprising 2.24% of the total capital imports at $126.29 million.
• The banking sector recorded the highest inflow of capital $3.13 billion, representing 55.44% of the total capital imported in Q1.
• The financing sector followed closely behind, with $2.1 billion, accounting for 37.18%.
• The production/manufacturing sector had the lowest share at $129.92 million, contributing 2.3%.

The report indicated that capital imports during the reference period primarily originated from the United Kingdom, accounting for 65.26% of the total capital imports.

This was followed by South Africa, which contributed 8.88% at $501.29 million, and Mauritius, which contributed 6.99% at $394.51 million.

Out of the five states that recorded capital imports during the quarter, Abuja emerged as the top destination at $3.05 billion, accounting for 54.11% of the total capital imports.

Lagos state followed closely behind, with $2.56 billion inflow, representing 45.44%. Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited processed the highest value, controlling a staggering $2.1 billion or 37.29%.

This was followed by Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC, which imported $1.4 billion, representing 24.78% and Citibank Nigeria Limited, which imported US$1.05 billion or 18.7%.