Nigeria’s total capital importation rose to US$6.01 billion in the third quarter (Q3) of 2025, marking a 380.16 percent increase compared with US$1.25 billion recorded in the same period of 2024, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The figures were published Monday in the agency’s Capital Importation Reports for the second and third quarters of 2025.
On a quarter-on-quarter basis, inflows increased by 17.46 percent, up from US$5.12 billion in Q2 2025.
Portfolio Investments Dominate Q3 Inflows
Portfolio investment accounted for the bulk of capital inflows in Q3 2025, totaling US$4.85 billion, or 80.70 percent of total importation.
Other investments contributed US$864.57 million (14.37 percent), while Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) recorded the smallest share attached US$296.25 million, representing 4.93 percent of total inflows.
Banking Sector Leads Inflows
Sectoral analysis showed that the banking sector attracted the largest share of capital in Q3, receiving US$3.14 billion, equivalent to 52.25 percent of total inflows.
This was followed by the financing sector, which recorded US$1.86 billion (30.85 percent), and the production/manufacturing sector with US$261.35 million (4.35 percent).
United Kingdom Tops Source Countries
The United Kingdom emerged as the largest source of capital imports during the quarter, accounting for US$2.94 billion, or 48.80 percent of total inflows.
The United States followed with US$950.47 million (15.80 percent), while the Republic of South Africa contributed US$773.95 million (12.87 percent).
Among financial institutions, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited received the highest capital inflow at US$2.12 billion (35.17 percent). It was followed by Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc with US$1.79 billion (29.75 percent) and Citibank Nigeria Limited with US$561.40 million (9.33 percent).
Q2 2025 Performance
The NBS report also showed that total capital importation in Q2 2025 stood at US$5.12 billion, representing a 96.60 percent increase compared with US$2.60 billion recorded in Q2 2024.
However, inflows declined by 9.24 percent compared with US$5.64 billion in Q1 2025.
As in Q3, portfolio investment dominated in Q2, amounting to US$4.20 billion (82.02 percent of total inflows). Other investments accounted for US$777.80 million (15.19 percent), while FDI totaled US$142.67 million (2.79 percent).
The banking sector again recorded the highest inflow in Q2 at US$3.41 billion (66.56 percent), followed by the financing sector with US$873.32 million (17.06 percent), and the electrical sector at US$456.37 million (8.91 percent).
The United Kingdom was also the largest source of capital in Q2, contributing US$1.86 billion (36.33 percent). It was followed by South Africa with US$1.01 billion (19.80 percent) and the United States with US$909.84 million (17.77 percent).
During the quarter, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited received the highest capital inflow at US$1.76 billion, followed by Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc with US$1.60 billion (31.34 percent), and Rand Merchant Bank with US$482.18 million (9.42 percent).