Abuja, Nigeria – Foreign capital inflows into Nigeria rose to 6.44 billion dollars in the fourth quarter of 2025, a 26.61 per cent increase from 5.09 billion dollars in the same period of 2024 and 7.13 per cent higher than the 6.01 billion dollars recorded in the third quarter, according to new data from the National Bureau of Statistics.
Okay News reports that portfolio investment remained the dominant source of inflows, accounting for 5.49 billion dollars or 85.14 per cent of total capital imported in the quarter, while foreign direct investment contributed 357.80 million dollars, equal to 5.55 per cent, and other investments such as loans and trade credits totalled 599.65 million dollars, or 9.31 per cent.
Within portfolio flows, money market instruments such as treasury bills attracted about 3.08 billion dollars and bonds drew 1.97 billion dollars, underscoring foreign investors’ preference for short term and fixed income assets over equity or greenfield projects.
Sectoral figures show the banking industry as the main destination for incoming funds, with 3.85 billion dollars or 59.75 per cent of total inflows, followed by the financing sector at 1.94 billion dollars or 30.15 per cent, while the production and manufacturing segment received 308.93 million dollars, around 4.79 per cent, and other sectors including telecommunications, agriculture and oil and gas saw relatively modest amounts.
By country of origin, the United Kingdom led with 3.73 billion dollars, representing 57.94 per cent of total inflows, the United States followed with 837.91 million dollars or 13 per cent, and South Africa accounted for 516.96 million dollars, or 8.02 per cent, with Belgium and Mauritius also among notable sources.
On the banking side, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc handled the largest share of capital importation, channeling about 2.23 billion dollars or 34.58 per cent of total inflows, ahead of Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited with 1.85 billion dollars, or 28.75 per cent, and Citibank Nigeria Limited with 840.72 million dollars, or 13.05 per cent, while other lenders such as Access Bank, Rand Merchant Bank and First City Monument Bank recorded smaller volumes.
Analysts say the Q4 numbers reflect improving sentiment toward Nigerian financial assets, especially debt and money market instruments, but the relatively low share of foreign direct investment highlights continuing weakness in long term commitments to the real sector and underscores the need for structural reforms to make the broader economy more attractive to investors beyond short term portfolio flows.
