Business Highlight

Nigeria’s Capital Inflows Surge 84% to $10.37bn in Q1 2026

Per Second NewsJune 3, 20261 Mins read1.6k

By Samuel Akpan

Nigeria attracted $10.37 billion in foreign capital in Q1 2026, marking an 83.83 percent increase from $5.64 billion a year ago and a 60.97 percent jump from the previous quarter’s $6.44 billion.

Portfolio investments dominated the inflows, totaling $9.86 billion or 95.09 percent of the overall figure.

Foreign direct investment accounted for only $135.08 million (1.30 percent), while other investments made up $374.48 million (3.61 percent).

Notably, foreign direct investment into Nigeria plunged by 80 percent in January 2026 as investors increasingly channelled funds into bonds and money market instruments despite the sharp rise in overall capital inflows.

Within the portfolio segment, money market instruments attracted the largest share at $6.50 billion, followed by bonds at $3.23 billion and equity investments at $131.81 million.

The banking sector emerged as the top destination, receiving $7.55 billion or 72.79 percent of total capital imported.

The financing sector followed with $2.43 billion (23.42 percent), while production and manufacturing drew $152.27 million (1.47 percent).

Other sectors that received foreign investments included shares, trading, agriculture, information technology services, telecommunications, oil and gas, transport, construction, healthcare, education and consultancy services.

The United Kingdom remained the leading source of capital, providing $5.08 billion or 49.01 percent of the total, ahead of the United States with $3.18 billion (30.69 percent) and South Africa at $983.83 million (9.49 percent).

Among banks, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited handled the highest inflow at $4.41 billion (42.56 percent).

Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc received $2.78 billion (26.79 percent), while Rand Merchant Bank accounted for $930.82 million (8.97 percent).

Other banks that facilitated inflows 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 compiled the figures from Central Bank of Nigeria data based on fresh foreign capital reported by commercial banks.

The statistics exclude other components of foreign direct investment such as reinvested earnings.