Portfolio investment into Nigeria hit a 13-year quarterly high in Q1 2026

  • Portfolio investment into Nigeria reached $9.86 billion in Q1 2026, the highest quarterly level in 51 quarters.
  • The Q1 2026 portfolio inflow was higher than the previous peak of $7.11 billion recorded in Q1 2019.
  • Portfolio investment accounted for 95% of Nigeria’s total capital importation in Q1 2026.
  • Foreign Direct Investment remained low at $135 million, far below portfolio inflows.
  • Other Investment stood at $374 million, making it the second-largest inflow category in Q1 2026.

Portfolio investment into Nigeria reached $9.86 billion in Q1 2026, the highest level recorded across 51 quarters of data.

The figure was higher than the previous major peak of $7.11 billion recorded in Q1 2019 and almost double the $5.20 billion recorded in Q1 2025.

Portfolio investment accounted for 95% of Nigeria’s total capital importation in Q1 2026, showing that the latest surge was driven mainly by financial-market inflows.

Foreign Direct Investment remained much smaller at $135 million, while Other Investment stood at $374 million, covering inflows such as trade credits, loans, currency deposits, and other claims.

Source:

National Bureau of Statistics

Period:

Q3 2013-Q1 2026
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