Nigeria’s capital importation surged to $6.01bn in the third quarter of 2025, representing a 380.16 per cent increase compared to $1.25bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2024, the National Bureau of Statistics has said.

The NBS disclosed this in its latest Nigeria Capital Importation (Q3 2025) report published on its website on Saturday. The report showed that capital inflows also rose on a quarter-on-quarter basis, climbing by 17.46 per cent from $5.12bn recorded in the second quarter of 2025 to $6.01bn in Q3.

“In Q3 2025, total capital importation into Nigeria stood at $6.01bn, higher than $1.25bn recorded in Q3 2024, indicating an increase of 380.16 per cent. In comparison to the preceding quarter, capital importation increased by 17.46 per cent from $5.12bn in Q2 2025,” the report read.

A breakdown of the data indicated that Portfolio Investment dominated inflows during the period, accounting for $4.85bn or 80.70 per cent of the total capital imported.

Other Investment followed with $864.57m, representing 14.37 per cent, while Foreign Direct Investment recorded the least with $296.25m, accounting for 4.93 per cent of total inflows.

Further details from the report showed that within Portfolio Investment, money market instruments attracted $2.95bn, while bonds accounted for $1.58bn. Equity investment under the portfolio category stood at $328.10m.

Under Foreign Direct Investment, equity inflows amounted to $281.61m, while other capital recorded $14.64m. Sectoral analysis revealed that the Banking sector attracted the highest inflow at $3.14bn, representing 52.25 per cent of total capital imported in the quarter.

The Financing sector followed with $1.86bn or 30.85 per cent, while the Production/Manufacturing sector recorded $261.35m, accounting for 4.35 per cent. Other sectors that received notable inflows included Electrical ($244.86m), Telecommunications ($208.51m), and Shares ($94.89m). Trading attracted $80.94m, while Real Estate recorded $61.07m.

Lower inflows were recorded in Agriculture ($24.67m), Information Technology Services ($11.55m), and Transport ($5.23m). Oil and Gas received $4.60m, while Construction attracted $2.88m.

Public Administration and Defence accounted for $0.35m, Brewing $0.10m, Marketing $0.06m, Arts, Entertainment and Recreation $0.04m, and Health and Social Work $0.02m.

An analysis by banks showed that Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited received the highest capital inflow at $2.12bn, representing 35.17 per cent of the total. Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc followed with $1.79bn or 29.75 per cent, while Citibank Nigeria Limited recorded $561.40m, accounting for 9.33 per cent.

Access Bank Plc received $385.03m, while Rand Merchant Bank recorded $306.92m. Ecobank Nigeria Plc attracted $299.91m, and First Bank of Nigeria Plc recorded $254.29m.

Zenith Bank Plc received $94.89m, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc $80.12m, and Fidelity Bank Plc $56.25m. First City Monument Bank Plc accounted for $49.27m, while United Bank for Africa Plc received $8.39m. Sterling Bank Plc recorded $3.10m, FSDH Merchant Bank Limited $2.87m, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc $2.30m, and Titan Trust Bank Ltd $1.94m.

Polaris Bank recorded $1.73m, Wema Bank Plc $1.16m, Keystone Bank Ltd $0.22m, and Providus Bank Plc $0.16m.

By country of origin, the United Kingdom emerged as the largest source of capital inflows into Nigeria during the quarter, accounting for $2.94bn or 48.80 per cent of total capital imported. The United States followed with $950.47m, representing 15.80 per cent, while the Republic of South Africa accounted for $773.95m or 12.87 per cent.

Other notable sources included Mauritius with $451.46m and the Netherlands with $282.90m. The NBS noted in its methodology that the data were provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria and capture fresh capital entering the economy as reported by commercial banks, excluding other components of foreign direct investment, such as reinvested earnings.

The strong rebound in capital importation in Q3 suggests renewed foreign investor appetite, driven largely by short-term portfolio flows into money market instruments and bonds. However, the relatively low share of Foreign Direct Investment indicates that long-term productive capital remains modest compared to more liquid investments.

The PUNCH earlier reported that the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment unveiled plans to deepen trade facilitation and tighten policy execution in 2026, following a sharp rebound in capital inflows and export performance in 2025.

According to the FMITI Outlook 2026, the ministry will focus on sustaining reform momentum while strengthening implementation frameworks to translate consolidation into sustained growth, exports, and jobs.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has launched a broader initiative that will increase the country’s gas development programme.

To achieve this new lofty target the Company has engaged the services of Chinese firms which will help in driving its liquefied natural gas development, spanning flare-gas-to-liquefied natural gas (LNG), floating LNG, and onshore LNG initiatives, alongside gas-fired power generation and industrial facilities utilising domestic gas feedstock.

In Abuja, the NNPCL signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China Gas Holdings Limited and Peiyang Chemical Singapore PTE Ltd. (PCCS), to establish a framework for structured collaboration across key segments of Nigeria’s natural gas value chain.

Managing Director of PCCS, Tim Tian, said the MoU was signed in the presence of its Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari; the Executive Vice President for Gas, Power & New Energy, Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye; and the General Manager of NNPC Gas & Power Investment Services, Mr. Ibrahim Hamza.

The MoU serves as the primary vehicle to align international technical expertise with Nigeria’s domestic energy priorities, providing a formalised governance structure to transition identified opportunities from technical feasibility through to commercial operations.

“Our role is to combine proven modular engineering with locally grounded commercial structures that make projects investible and deliverable”, the PCCS MD said, adding that fast-tracking scalable gas infrastructure will be critical to converting resources into jobs, reliable power and industrial growth.

Tiam said the signing was followed by an extensive programme of engagement by the China Gas and PCCS delegation across Nigeria’s energy sector.

He said discussions with Heirs Energies Limited examined downstream compressed natural gas (CNG) and LNG opportunities, including a 15 million standard cubic feet per day (15MMSCFD) supply discussion and project delivery considerations, while separate meetings with refinery leadership focused on the integration of gas supply into refining and industrial operations.

The Chinese delegation also held discussions with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) regarding financing structures relevant to large-scale gas infrastructure development.

Alongside these meetings, PCCS said the delegation conducted site inspections at operational facilities, including CNG mother stations, the NGML-NIPCO refuelling station at the Port of Lagos, and logistics bases in Shagamu operating CNG and LNG-powered heavy-duty fleets.

The visits provided direct operational insight into compression systems, daily throughput levels, fleet utilisation, and transport-linked gas demand.

“With the framework now in place, the parties will proceed with technical evaluations and structured commercial discussions in line with the agreed scope”, PCCS said.

The Company said it had a proven track record in developing and operating refineries, LNG/CNG plants, and gas-to-power projects across Africa and Southeast Asia, facilitating the bridge between international technical standards and localised project delivery.

Stanbic IBTC Bank, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, has successfully concluded its strategic participation at the 2026 Wemabod Real Estate Outlook Confeence, which attracted over 1,800 participants to explore the theme ‘Unlocking land and infrastructure for inclusive housing’. The conference served as a vital platform for policy dialogue, partnership development and generation of actionable insights aimed at reshaping Nigeria’s real estate landscape.

Industry leaders and key stakeholders engaged in robust discussions pertaining to innovative strategies for affordable housing delivery; advancing infrastructure development; and promotion of sustainable economic growth. Noteworthy sessions included in-depth discussions on land acquisition processes, regulatory challenges, and financing frameworks essential to housing initiatives.

Speaking during a fireside chat, Wole Adeniyi, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to advancing inclusive housing solutions. He stated, “Sustainable growth is impossible without inclusive assets, and inclusive housing cannot be achieved without purposefully unlocking land and aligning infrastructure from the outset. At Stanbic IBTC, we are committed to supporting frameworks that bring policy, capital, and execution together to deliver housing solutions that create dignity, opportunity, and long-term value for Nigerians.”

Tola Akinhanmi, Head of Real Estate Finance, Stanbic IBTC Capital, emphasised the importance of collaboration among institutions to deliver scalable housing solutions. “Inclusive housing cannot be achieved by any single stakeholder. It requires intentional cooperation among the government, regional development institutions, the private sector, financiers, professionals, and communities. Effectively unlocking land and strategically deploying infrastructure are essential for creating viable and scalable housing projects that align with regional economic priorities.”

Bashir Oladunni, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Wemabod Limited, in his opening remarks, highlighted a significant shift needed in housing development strategies. For inclusive housing to flourish, he noted that there must be a migration from overcrowded urban centers to meticulously planned regional corridors. These corridors, facilitated by robust transportation links and coordinated land-use planning, should act as catalysts for economic activity.

The Wemabod conference undoubtedly set the stage for transformative change in Nigeria’s real estate sector; encouraging a shift towards a more equitable and sustainable approach to housing and urban development.

Stanbic IBTC is determined to be on the forefront of advancing Nigeria’s housing agenda and inclusive economic development through impactful partnerships. As Nigeria’s cities evolve, the Group focuses on empowering stakeholders, enhancing collaboration, and supporting solutions that provide accessible housing for a broader population.