Nigeria's foreign capital inflows rose significantly in the first quarter of 2026, with the country attracting $10.37 billion as investors increased their exposure to financial assets, according to the latest Capital Importation Report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The figure represents an 83.83 per cent increase over the $5.64 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025 and a 60.97 per cent rise from the $6.44 billion posted in the fourth quarter of last year.
The report highlights a resurgence of foreign investor activity in Nigeria, although the bulk of the inflows continued to be concentrated in short-term portfolio investments rather than direct investments in the real economy.
Portfolio investment dominated capital importation during the quarter, accounting for $9.86 billion, or 95.09 per cent of the total inflows. Other investments contributed $374.48 million, representing 3.61 per cent, while Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) amounted to just $135.08 million, making up 1.30 per cent of the total.
The data showed that money market instruments remained the preferred asset class for foreign investors, attracting $6.50 billion. Investments in bonds accounted for $3.23 billion, while equity investments stood at $131.81 million.
Sectoral distribution of the inflows revealed that the banking industry remained the primary destination for foreign capital, receiving $7.55 billion, equivalent to 72.79 per cent of the total amount imported into the country during the quarter.
The financing sector followed with inflows of $2.43 billion, accounting for 23.42 per cent, while the production and manufacturing sector attracted $152.27 million, representing 1.47 per cent.
Other sectors that received foreign capital included agriculture, telecommunications, information and communication technology, oil and gas, transportation, construction, healthcare, education, trading and consultancy services.
On the origin of the investments, the United Kingdom retained its position as Nigeria's largest source of foreign capital, contributing $5.08 billion or 49.01 per cent of the total inflows.
The United States accounted for $3.18 billion, representing 30.69 per cent, while South Africa contributed $983.83 million, equivalent to 9.49 per cent.
Among the financial institutions that processed the inflows, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria topped the list with $4.41 billion, accounting for 42.56 per cent of the total capital imported during the period.
Stanbic IBTC Bank followed with $2.78 billion, while Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria handled $930.82 million. Other banks involved in facilitating the inflows included Citibank Nigeria, Access Bank, First Bank of Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank, Zenith Bank, FCMB, Ecobank Nigeria, Fidelity Bank and United Bank for Africa.
The NBS stated that the figures were compiled using information provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria and covered fresh foreign capital inflows reported by deposit money banks across the country.
Despite the strong growth in overall capital importation, the report underscored the limited contribution of foreign direct investment to total inflows. The trend suggests that while foreign investors are increasingly attracted to Nigeria's financial markets, long-term investments in productive sectors of the economy remain relatively subdued.
The latest data comes amid ongoing efforts by policymakers to strengthen macroeconomic stability, improve investor confidence and attract more sustainable foreign investments capable of driving industrial growth, employment and economic expansion.
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