Inflows Surge To 10.37 Billion Dollars In First Quarter Of 2026
Fresh figures from the National Bureau of Statistics show that Nigeria attracted 10.37 billion dollars in capital importation during the first quarter of 2026. This marks an 83.83 per cent rise from the 5.64 billion dollars recorded in the same period of 2025 and a 60.97 per cent increase from the 6.44 billion dollars posted in the fourth quarter of 2025.
The latest Capital Importation Report released on Wednesday highlights renewed foreign investor interest in the country financial markets. Portfolio investment dominated the inflows accounting for 9.86 billion dollars or 95.09 per cent of the total. Foreign direct investment came in at just 135.08 million dollars representing 1.30 per cent while other investments made up 374.48 million dollars or 3.61 per cent.
Within the portfolio category money market instruments drew the largest share at 6.50 billion dollars followed by bonds at 3.23 billion dollars and equity investments at 131.81 million dollars. The banking sector emerged as the primary destination pulling in 7.55 billion dollars or 72.79 per cent of all inflows. The financing sector followed with 2.43 billion dollars representing 23.42 per cent while production and manufacturing attracted 152.27 million dollars or 1.47 per cent.
Other sectors that received foreign capital included shares trading agriculture information technology services telecommunications oil and gas transport construction healthcare education and consultancy services.
The United Kingdom led as the top source of capital with 5.08 billion dollars or 49.01 per cent of the total. The United States came next at 3.18 billion dollars accounting for 30.69 per cent while South Africa contributed 983.83 million dollars or 9.49 per cent.
Among financial institutions Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited handled the highest inflow at 4.41 billion dollars or 42.56 per cent. Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc received 2.78 billion dollars representing 26.79 per cent and Rand Merchant Bank managed 930.82 million dollars or 8.97 per cent. Other banks involved included Citibank Nigeria Access Bank First Bank of Nigeria Guaranty Trust Bank Zenith Bank FCMB Ecobank Fidelity Bank and United Bank for Africa.
The National Bureau of Statistics noted that the data came from information supplied by the Central Bank of Nigeria through commercial banks and captured fresh foreign capital. The figures exclude other components of foreign direct investment such as reinvested earnings.
Earlier reports had indicated that foreign direct investment dropped sharply in January 2026 as investors shifted focus toward bonds and money market instruments even as overall capital inflows climbed. This pattern aligns with the first quarter breakdown where short term portfolio flows far outweighed longer term direct commitments.
Such data provides a clear snapshot of investor behaviour during the period with financial markets drawing the bulk of attention while productive sectors received comparatively modest shares.