Nigeria Sees $16.78bn Capital Inflow in 2025 Surge

From January to September 2025, Nigeria experienced a capital inflow of $16.78 billion, primarily driven by foreign portfolio investment (FPI), which constituted approximately 97% of the total inflow. This figure represents a 131.81% increase compared to the $7.236 billion recorded during the same period in 2024.

The National Bureau of Statistics reported that the inflow included $13.6 billion in bonds and money market instruments, with only $590 million invested in equities. Analysts, including Ibrahim Lawal, noted that Nigerian banks serve as conduits for these funds, which are primarily yield-driven investments.

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

The United Kingdom emerged as the leading source of foreign investment, contributing $2.935 billion.