Nigerian Banking Sector Sees $13.53B Foreign Inflows in 2025

In 2025, Nigeria's banking sector saw foreign capital inflows rise to $13.53 billion, representing a 93.25% increase from the previous year's $7.00 billion. This surge occurred as banks intensified their capital raising efforts in anticipation of the Central Bank of Nigeria's recapitalization deadline.

According to the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics, the banking sector remains the largest destination for foreign capital, accounting for 58.26% of total inflows in 2025, compared to 56.81% in 2024. The data indicates sustained growth across quarters, reflecting consistent foreign investor participation, suggesting that capital raising is not concentrated in a single window but is sustained throughout the year.

The quarterly inflows showed improvements, with $5.64 billion in Q1 and $6.44 billion in Q4, signaling enhanced investor confidence and stronger liquidity conditions in the banking sector. The recapitalization exercise is a major driver of foreign capital inflow, reshaping the structure of capital import as the March 31, 2026 deadline approaches.