After a four-year slump, Nigeria's capital imports rebounded with a massive 215% surge in 2024

Key Takeaways

  • Nigeria’s capital importation fell from $21.3 billion in 2013 to $12.3 billion in 2024, marking a 42% decline over the 12-year period.
  • After four years of consistent decline, capital inflows surged by 215% in 2024, rising from $3.9 billion in 2023 to $12.3 billion.
  • The data reflects sharp swings, with 2019 peaking at $24 billion, followed by a 60% plunge in 2020 due to global and domestic disruptions.
  • In 2023, capital imports plummeted to their lowest point of the 12-year period, reaching just $3.9 billion.

Nigeria’s capital importation has experienced a turbulent 12-year run. In 2013, the country attracted $21.3 billion in capital inflows, but by 2024, this figure had dropped to $12.3 billion, a 42% decline. The most significant drop, 60% in 2020, came after 2019’s record high of $24 billion. From 2020 to 2023, inflows continued to deteriorate, reaching a low of $3.9 billion. However, 2024 brought a strong reversal, with capital imports rebounding by 215%, hinting at renewed investor confidence or major financial transactions boosting inflows.

 

Source:

National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)

Period:

2013 - 2024
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Nigeria's foreign capital inflows nearly reached the 2019 record, but 87% went to banks and financiers
  • Inflows surged from $3.9B in 2023 to $23.2B in 2025, near the all-time record.
  • Banking and financing captured 87% of all inflows.
  • Agriculture got $167M, oil and gas $18M, and construction $6M, .
  • The recovery is real, but it is not yet reaching ordinary Nigerians.

The UK accounted for 62% of Nigeria’s capital imports in Q1 2025; South Africa and Mauritius led African sources
  • The United Kingdom accounted for over 62% of total capital imports into Nigeria in Q1 2025.
  • South Africa and Mauritius are the only African countries in the top 10, ranking 2nd and 3rd respectively.
  • Traditional powerhouses like the US and UAE contributed significantly less than the UK.
  • Emerging markets like the Cayman Islands and Singapore also made the list, reflecting Nigeria’s diverse capital origin base.

Equity accounts for 98% of Nigeria’s $126M FDI inflow in Q1 2025
  • Nigeria recorded $126.3 million in foreign direct investment during Q1 2025, comprising 2.2% of the country's total capital importation.
  • Equity investment was the primary FDI channel, accounting for $124.31 million or 98.4% of the total FDI.
  • "Other Capital" (possibly intra-company loans or reinvested earnings) contributed just $1.98 million, a marginal 1.6% share.
  • The dominance of equity suggests that foreign investors are committing more to long-term ownership and participation in Nigerian businesses rather than short-term financing

Portfolio Investment dominated Nigeria’s Q1 2025 capital imports, accounting for over 92% of the total
  • Nigeria recorded $5.64 billion in total capital importation in Q1 2025.
  • Portfolio investment alone contributed a massive $5.2 billion, 92.3% of total inflows.
  • FDI contributed just $126.29 million, making up only 2.2% of total capital importation.
  • Loans totalled $311.17 million, accounting for 5.5% of the total inflow.

Money market instruments dominate over 80% of Nigeria’s $5.2B portfolio investment in Q1 2025
  • Nigeria attracted $5.2 billion in portfolio inflows in Q1 2025, making up 92.3% of all capital importation.
  • With $4.2 billion, money market instruments accounted for a dominant 80.9% of portfolio investments.
  • Bonds contributed $877.4 million, roughly 16.8% of portfolio inflows.
  • Equities saw the smallest share, at $117.3 million or just 2.3% of portfolio capital inflows.

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