Nigerian economy attracted a total of $10.37 billion in investment in the first quarter of 2026, representing an 83.9 percent increase compared to $5.64 billion recorded (year on year) in the first quarter of 2025.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics data released on Wednesday, the total value for Q1 is also higher than $6.443 billion (60.97%) recorded in the previous quarter (Q4) 2025.
“Q1 2026, total capital importation into Nigeria stood at US$10,371.90 million, higher than US$5,642.07 million recorded in Q1 2025, indicating an increase of 83.83%. In comparison to the preceding quarter, capital importation increased by 60.97% from US$6,443.48 million in Q4 2025,” the report stated.
BusinessDay analysis of the report showed that Portfolio Investment ranked top with $9.86 billion, accounting for 95.09%, followed by Other Investment
with $374.48 million, accounting for 3.61%.
Foreign Direct Investment recorded the least with $135.08 million, representing 1.30% of total capital importation in Q1 2026.
The report also showed that the Banking sector recorded the highest inflow with $7.55 billion, representing 72.79% of total capital imported in Q1 2026, followed by the Financing sector, valued at $2.429million (23.42%), and the Production/Manufacturing sector with $152.27 million (1.47%).
Capital Importation during the reference period originated largely from the United Kingdom, with $5.08 billion, representing 49.01% of the total capital imported. This was followed by the United States with $3.183 billion (30.69%) and the Republic of South Africa with $983.83 million (9.49%).
Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited received the highest capital importation into Nigeria in Q1 2026 with $4.414 billion (42.56%), followed by Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc with US$2,778.92 million (26.79%), and Rand Merchant Bank with US$930.82 million (8.97%).