Domestic Investors Propel ₦3.41 Trillion in NGX Equity Trades

Domestic investors continue to dominate the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), contributing ₦3.41 trillion in equity trades during the first five months of 2025—a performance that significantly outpaces foreign activity.

According to the NGX’s Domestic & Foreign Portfolio Investment Report, domestic participants drove ₦2.42 trillion (70.8%) of the total trade volume, while foreign investors accounted for ₦996 billion (29.2%)

May 2025 marked a record monthly high, with total equity turnover hitting ₦700.5 billion, a 45.3% jump from April’s ₦482 billion. Domestic trading surged by 38.8% to ₦581.6 billion, while foreign trades climbed an impressive 88.5% to ₦118.9 billion Specifically, foreign inflows reached ₦66.1 billion against outflows of ₦52.8 billion

Retail investors continue to lead domestic activity, with their trades rising 86.1% month-on-month to ₦337.5 billion, compared to ₦244.1 billion from institutional investors .

A year-over-year comparison shows a nearly twofold increase in May’s trades, growing 97.1% from ₦355.4 billion in May 2024. So far, 2025’s trading volume is 51% higher than the ₦2.25 trillion recorded in the same period last year.

Historical trends reflect steady growth in domestic engagement. From 2007 to 2024, domestic trading rose by 33%, from ₦3.56 trillion to ₦4.74 trillion, while foreign participation increased by 38%, from ₦616 billion to ₦852 billion

NGX attributes the rise in domestic market share to enhanced investor awareness, improved digital access, and strengthened confidence following central bank-led monetary and foreign exchange reforms