Nigeria attracted about 65 per cent of its foreign capital inflows from investors in the United Kingdom over the past year, underscoring renewed international confidence in the country’s economic direction. The Federal Government disclosed this in a report by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, highlighting key UK-backed investments such as $7.5 million in Babban Gona and $40.5 million in Johnvent Industries.
According to the ministry’s document, “2025: A Defining Year for Nigeria’s Industry, Trade and Investment,” the surge in UK investments followed the activation of the UK–Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership and reforms introduced under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Officials said these measures improved market access, strengthened investor protection and repositioned Nigeria as a more attractive destination for global capital.
The ministry described 2025 as a turning point, noting that Nigeria shifted from passive investment promotion to a systems-driven approach that improved project visibility and reduced investor risk. As a result, four priority projects valued at $13.7 billion moved forward, while a structured pipeline of over $5 billion in investment opportunities was developed across key sectors of the economy.
Beyond foreign inflows, Nigeria recorded strong gains in trade performance, with non-oil exports rising by 21 per cent to $12.8 billion in the first half of 2025, far exceeding government targets. This growth helped deliver a ₦12 trillion trade surplus, driven by exports such as cocoa products, sesame seeds, cashew nuts, fertilisers, cement and liquefied natural gas, alongside improved export processes and value addition.
On the macroeconomic front, the ministry said reforms including foreign exchange liberalisation, fuel subsidy removal and monetary tightening helped restore investor confidence. Nigeria’s stock market ranked among the world’s top performers in 2025, while combined foreign portfolio and direct investments approached $14 billion by the third quarter. Looking ahead, the government said it plans to sustain the momentum in 2026 by prioritising execution, deepening sector-specific investments and strengthening Nigeria’s role in regional and global trade.
source: punch