Nigeria Records $21 Billion Capital Inflows in 10 Months as Investor Confidence Surges
Nigeria’s capital importation surged to $21 billion within the first ten months of 2025, marking a 75% increase from the $12 billion recorded in the same period last year. The sharp rise underscores renewed investor confidence in the country’s economic reforms, according to Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole. She revealed the figures during the 2026 budget defence before the Joint House of Representatives Committee on Commerce in Abuja.
Dr Oduwole attributed the growth to targeted government interventions that unlocked financing and streamlined project implementation. Initiatives included curating over $5 billion in bankable projects, establishing sector-specific deal rooms, and hosting Nigeria’s first Domestic Investors’ Summit. She noted that these measures resolved approximately 50 long-standing investor bottlenecks, helping domestic capital transition smoothly from proposals to active projects.
The ministry undertook more than 100 bilateral investment engagements across key markets such as the UAE, Brazil, Japan, the US, and the UK. Notably, under the Nigeria–UK Economic and Trade Partnership, UK investors contributed roughly 65% of Nigeria’s foreign capital inflows in 2025. These engagements, Dr. Oduwole explained, complemented domestic investment efforts, reinforcing Nigeria as a stable and attractive investment destination.
Nigeria posted a trade surplus in 2025, with total trade valued at about ₦113 trillion in the first three quarters. Exports rose 11% year-on-year to $6.1 billion – a record in both value and volume. Non-oil exports received a boost from Special Economic Zones (SEZs), which generated over $500 million in export revenue and created more than 20,000 direct jobs. Priority sectors include agro-processing, solid minerals beneficiation, light manufacturing, and digital services.
Despite the positive trends, Dr. Oduwole appealed for a higher capital allocation for 2026, warning that the proposed ₦2.72 billion would be insufficient to maintain momentum. She emphasised that domestic investors remain the anchor of economic growth, with global investors engaged through reverse trade missions and in-country visits. “The emphasis remains ‘Nigeria First’, prioritising local production, supporting non-oil exports, and deepening domestic investment,” she stated.
source: vanguard