Nigeria attracted $10.37 billion in capital importation during the first quarter of 2026, representing a significant increase from the level recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year, according to the latest Capital Importation Report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The report showed that total capital inflows rose by 83.83 per cent from the $5.64 billion recorded in the first quarter of 2025. Compared with the preceding quarter, capital importation increased by 60.97 per cent from $6.44 billion.

According to the NBS, the strong performance reflects increased foreign investor participation in Nigeria’s financial markets during the review period.

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Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) stood at $135.08 million, representing 1.30 per cent of total capital importation, while other investments accounted for $374.48 million or 3.61 per cent of total inflows.

The report indicated that portfolio investments continued to attract the largest share of foreign capital entering the country, significantly outperforming both direct investment and other forms of investment.

A breakdown of portfolio investment showed that money market instruments attracted the highest volume of inflows at $6.50 billion.

Investments in bonds amounted to $3.23 billion, while equity investments under the portfolio category accounted for $131.81 million during the quarter.

The banking sector emerged as the leading destination for foreign capital, attracting $7.55 billion, which represented 72.79 per cent of total inflows recorded during the period.

The financing sector followed with $2.43 billion or 23.42 per cent of total capital importation.

The production and manufacturing sector attracted $152.27 million, accounting for 1.47 per cent of the total inflows received during the quarter.

Other sectors that recorded foreign investment inflows included trading, agriculture, information technology services, telecommunications, oil and gas, transport, construction, healthcare, education and consultancy services.

The report showed that the United Kingdom remained Nigeria’s largest source of foreign capital during the first quarter.

Investments originating from the UK amounted to $5.08 billion, representing 49.01 per cent of total capital imported into the country.

The United States ranked second with capital inflows of $3.18 billion, accounting for 30.69 per cent of the total amount recorded during the period.

South Africa followed with $983.83 million, representing 9.49 per cent of total capital importation.

The report highlighted the continued importance of major international financial centres in facilitating capital flows into the Nigerian economy.

Among financial institutions involved in processing capital importation transactions, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited handled the largest volume during the quarter.

The bank accounted for capital inflows of $4.41 billion, representing 42.56 per cent of total inflows recorded during the period.

Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc followed with $2.78 billion, accounting for 26.79 per cent of total capital imported into the country.

Rand Merchant Bank facilitated inflows of $930.82 million, representing 8.97 per cent of the total amount recorded.

Other financial institutions that processed foreign capital inflows during the quarter included Citibank Nigeria, Access Bank, First Bank of Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank, Zenith Bank, FCMB, Ecobank, Fidelity Bank and United Bank for Africa.

According to the NBS, the capital importation figures were compiled using data supplied by the Central Bank of Nigeria and captured fresh foreign capital reported through authorised dealer banks.

The bureau noted that the figures relate to newly imported foreign capital and do not include certain components of foreign direct investment such as reinvested earnings.

Industry observers said the increase in capital inflows reflects renewed investor interest in Nigerian financial assets, particularly money market instruments and fixed-income securities.

They noted that portfolio investments continued to dominate capital inflows due to attractive yields available within the domestic financial market.

They stated that increasing productive and long-term investments into sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, technology and infrastructure would remain important for sustainable economic growth.

The latest figures nevertheless indicate a strong rebound in foreign capital inflows, with portfolio investments accounting for the bulk of funds entering the economy during the first three months of 2026.

The report underscores the continued attractiveness of Nigeria’s financial markets to foreign investors and highlights the banking sector’s dominant role in facilitating cross-border capital movements into the country.