Nigeria Sees $16.78bn Capital Inflow in 2025 Surge

From January to September 2025, Nigeria experienced a capital inflow of $16.78 billion, a 131.81% increase from the $7.236 billion recorded during the same period in 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Approximately 97% of this inflow was classified as foreign portfolio investment (FPI), with only 3.3% as foreign direct investment (FDI).

The total sum included $13.6 billion in bonds and money market instruments, while equity investments were just $590 million. Analysts, including Ibrahim Lawal, indicated that Nigerian banks primarily serve as conduits for these funds rather than as final beneficiaries.

Governor Olayemi Cardoso of the Central Bank of Nigeria disclosed that the country attracted $20.98 billion in foreign capital within the first ten months of 2025, reflecting a 70% increase compared to 2024. The banking sector attracted the largest share of capital, receiving $3.142 billion, while the financial sector followed with $1.855 billion.

The United Kingdom emerged as the leading source of this capital inflow.