The UK accounted for 62% of Nigeria’s capital imports in Q1 2025; South Africa and Mauritius led African sources

Key Takeaways

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.

In Q1 2025, Nigeria received a total of $5.64 billion in capital imports — foreign funds brought into Nigeria for investments, such as equity, loans, or other financial instruments — with the United Kingdom contributing a dominant $3.68 billion, or 62% of the total.

Notably, two African nations, South Africa and Mauritius, also featured in the top 10, with $501.29 million and $394.51 million respectively, highlighting growing intra-African investment interest. The presence of countries like the US, UAE, and Singapore shows Nigeria's continued attractiveness as a capital destination for both Western and emerging economies.

Source:

National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)

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Period:

Q1 2025

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The UK led Nigeria’s capital imports in H1 2024, contributing nearly 50% of total inflows

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.