Over $3.2 billion was sent abroad from Nigeria from 2000 to 2023, with a $1 billion spike in 2015 standing out

Key takeaways

  • Migrants living in Nigeria sent out over $3.2 billion in personal remittances between 2000 and 2023.
  • The year 2015 recorded a sharp and unusual outflow of $1.04 billion, the highest by far in the entire 24-year span.
  • After 2015, remittance outflows sharply declined, stabilising below $100 million from 2018 onward.
  • Prior to 2015, outflows were consistently under $110 million annually, indicating a major anomaly in that spike year.

Between 2000 and 2023, personal remittance outflows from Nigeria amounted to over $3.2 billion, a reflection of the funds sent by migrant workers or foreign nationals residing in Nigeria to their families or communities abroad. These outflows remained relatively modest until 2015, when the data showed an extraordinary surge: over $1.04 billion was sent out that year alone, more than 30% of the total recorded over two decades.

This spike could indicate a unique economic or policy event, possibly related to capital flight, currency concerns, or foreign labour transitions during that period. Following 2015, remittance outflows gradually dropped, and by 2018, they settled into a more stable range, hovering around $80–90 million annually. This trend suggests that the 2015 spike was an outlier in an otherwise modest and steady remittance outflow landscape for Nigeria.

Source:

World Bank

Period:

2000 to 2023
HTML code to embed chart
Want a bespoke report?
Reach out
Click to copy HTML embed code
Tags
Related Insights
West Africa has the highest concentration of remittance-dependent nations, with 10 countries in the top 20, led by The Gambia (21.1%)
  • The Gambia leads Africa in remittance-GDP ratio, with remittance accounting for 21.1% of its GDP in 2024.
  • Lesotho (20.9%) and Comoros (18.3%) closely follow as highly remittance-dependent economies.
  • Somalia (17.5%) and Liberia (14.3%) also rely heavily on diaspora inflows to support their economies.
  • Nigeria (11.3%) remains a major player, highlighting its strong global diaspora network.
  • Cabo Verde (12.1%) and Senegal (11.6%) demonstrate that remittances are key drivers of income in smaller economies.
  • In larger economies like Egypt (7.6%) and Morocco (8.1%), remittances also make up a significant share of GDP.
In 2024, West African nations hold six spots of the top 15 Africa's Importance of Remittance Index, led by Senegal (77)
  • West Africa dominates Africa’s top 15, holding six positions on the remittance importance index.
  • Zimbabwe (78) ranks as Africa’s top country in terms of remittances' importance.
  • Senegal (77) and Nigeria (72) highlight the central role of diaspora inflows in West Africa’s economies.
  • Morocco (74) leads North Africa in remittance importance.
  • Smaller nations like Lesotho (68) and Liberia (68) depend heavily on remittances relative to their GDP.
  • The lowest-ranked countries, including Angola (9) and Djibouti (11), rely minimally on remittance inflows.
Nigeria’s public debt has soared since 2010, with domestic debt up 2,020% and external debt up 1,000% by mid 2025
  • Nigeria’s domestic debt jumped from ₦3.8 trillion in 2010 to ₦80.55 trillion by mid-2025.
  • Foreign debts increased from $4.27 billion in 2010 to $46.98 billion in 2025, reflecting growing reliance on external financing.
  • Debt accumulation surged notably after 2020, coinciding with pandemic spending, naira depreciation, and higher fiscal deficits.
  • The widening gap between revenue and debt service raises questions about Nigeria’s long-term debt sustainability.
Egypt leads African remittance recipients in 2024 with $22.7B, while Nigeria trails behind with $19.8B
  • Africa received $96.4 billion in remittances in 2024.
  • Egypt ($22.7B) and Nigeria ($19.8B) dominated inflows, accounting for nearly half of the continent’s total.
  • Egypt’s 16% growth reflects stronger remittance networks and economic linkages with its diaspora.
  • Nigeria’s inflows grew modestly (1%).
  • Ghana recorded the highest growth (91%), indicating a resurgence in diaspora remittances.
  • Zimbabwe (-6%) and Tunisia (-3%) experienced declines, pointing to potential disruptions in inflow channels.
Borno records lowest domestic debt in North-East Nigeria at ₦22.3 billion in Q2 2025
  • The six North-Eastern states collectively owe around ₦450 billion in domestic debt as of Q2 2025.
  • Borno State maintains the lowest debt in the region at ₦22.3 billion, showing signs of controlled borrowing amid post-conflict rebuilding.
  • Bauchi State has the highest domestic debt burden of ₦143.6 billion, accounting for about 31% of the region’s total.
  • The top three states, Bauchi, Taraba and Gombe, collectively account for more than two-thirds of the zone’s total subnational debt stock.
In just six months, Nigeria spent over $2.3 billion servicing external debts
  • Nigeria paid $816.3 million to the International Monetary Fund, accounting for over 35% of total external debt service payments.
  • Eurobond payments followed closely, with $687.8 million paid, reflecting Nigeria’s heavy reliance on commercial debt instruments.
  • Multilateral lenders like IDA and AfDB collectively received about $463 million, signalling continued exposure to concessional financing.
  • China’s share shrinking: Payments to Chinese lenders (EXIM + CDB) totalled $235.6 million, less than 11% of total outflows, suggesting reduced Chinese debt servicing in H1 2025.
POPULAR TOPICS
SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Get periodic updates about the African startup space, access to our reports, among others.
Subscribe Here
Subscription Form
A product of Techpoint Africa. All rights reserved