In H1 2024, the UK accounted for nearly half (48.9%) of Nigeria’s capital investments, totalling $2.93 billion, followed by South Africa (14%) and the Netherlands (11%).
This highlights the UK's long-standing economic ties with Nigeria, having invested over $47.5 billion over the past ten years. The UK remains Nigeria's top capital import source.
In H1 2024, Nigeria's FDI accounted for just 2.5% of the country's $5.98 billion total capital imports, down from 14% in H2 2023 and 6.2% in H1 2023.
This highlights a shift towards other capital inflows like portfolio investments.
Portfolio investments rose significantly to $3.48 billion, rebounding from $397 million in H2 2023 and $756 million in H1 2023.
Nigeria's FDI has dropped significantly. From an average of $417m per quarter (2013-2015) to less than $100m (Q1 2022 - Q2 2024), it hit its lowest ($29.8m) in Q2 2024.
The trend shows declines since 2013, with key fluctuations and a shift in investment priorities.
2013-2015: FDI was mostly above $200 million per quarter, peaking at $769 million in Q4 2014.
2016-2021: FDI mostly stayed under $400 million, with a $531 million spike in Q3 2018.
2022-2024: FDI hit new lows, bottoming out at $48 million in Q1 2023 and falling even further to $29.8 million in Q2 2024 — the lowest in 46 quarters.
Over the past nine years, the UK has been a major player in Nigeria's economy, contributing a substantial 43% ($47.5b) of the total capital imports. The UK's biggest capital investments in Nigeria occurred in 2014 and 2019. Since peaking in 2019, they have fallen 75% as of 2022.
In H1 2023, Nigeria's total trade was ₦24.79 trillion — ₦13.5 trillion worth of exports and ₦11.29 trillion imports. Here are Nigeria’s trading partners by region in H1 2023.
Most of Nigeria's capital imports in the first quarter of 2023 were directed toward three sectors. The banking sector got the most investments with $304 million, accounting for 27%, and the production and IT services sectors followed, with 22% and 19%, respectively.
In Q1 2023, eight Nigerian states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) received $1.13 billion in capital imports. Lagos State secured $705 million (62%) and the FCT attracted $410 million (36%), adding up to 98%.
Nigeria's capital importation has been on a decline after it hit a $24 billion peak in 2019. In the past 10 years, it received $131 billion, with the lowest recorded in 2016. Here are the country's capital imports since 2013.
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