Nigeria recorded $10.37 billion in capital inflow for the first quarter of 2026. This is an 83.83 per cent rise from the $5.64 billion received in the same period of 2025.
This information comes from a report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Wednesday.
The NBS's latest Capital Importation Report also shows that foreign capital inflows grew by 60.97 per cent from the $6.44 billion noted in the fourth quarter of 2025.
The report explains that this increase shows stronger interest from investors in Nigeria’s financial markets during this time.
Portfolio investment leads the way
The report reveals that portfolio investment is the biggest part of capital inflow, making up $9.86 billion or 95.09 per cent of the total inflow during this quarter.
Other investments were $374.48 million, which is 3.61 per cent of the total capital imported. Foreign direct investment (FDI) was $135.08 million, making up 1.30 per cent.
The NBS highlighted that portfolio investment greatly outperformed other types of capital inflows during this time.
In the portfolio investment section, money market instruments attracted the most funds, at $6.50 billion.
Investments in bonds reached $3.23 billion, while equity investments were $131.81 million. The data shows that investors preferred fixed-income products over equity investments during this quarter.
Banking sector attracts most investment
Sector analysis shows that the banking sector received the most foreign capital, pulling in $7.55 billion. This is 72.79 per cent of the total capital imported during this period.
The financing sector came next with $2.43 billion, or 23.42 per cent of the total.
The production and manufacturing sector got $152.27 million, accounting for 1.47 per cent of total inflows.
Other sectors that drew foreign investment include agriculture, telecommunications, IT services, oil and gas, healthcare, construction, education, consultancy, transport, trading, and shares.
The United Kingdom was the top source of capital inflows into Nigeria in the first quarter of 2026.
According to the report, investments from the UK were $5.08 billion, making up 49.01 per cent of total capital inflow.
The United States was next with $3.18 billion, which is 30.69 per cent, while South Africa contributed $983.83 million, or 9.49 per cent of the total.
Among banks, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited handled the largest share of capital inflow during this quarter.
The bank received $4.41 billion, which is 42.56 per cent of the total capital imported into Nigeria.
Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc came next with $2.78 billion, or 26.79 per cent, while Rand Merchant Bank facilitated $930.82 million, representing 8.97 per cent.
Other banks that processed foreign capital inflows include Access Bank, Citibank Nigeria, First Bank of Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank, Zenith Bank, FCMB, Ecobank, Fidelity Bank, and United Bank for Africa.
The NBS noted that these capital importation statistics were compiled from information provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria and reports from commercial banks on new foreign capital entering the country.
The bureau added that these figures do not include other parts of foreign direct investment, like reinvested earnings.
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