Nigeria’s banking sector attracted $13.53bn foreign inflows in 12 months

Monday, March 30, 2026 - Foreign capital inflows into Nigeria’s banking sector rose to $13.53 billion in 2025, representing a 93.25 per cent increase from $7.00 billion recorded in 2024.

The surge comes as banks intensify capital raising efforts ahead of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recapitalization deadline.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows the banking sector remained the largest destination for foreign capital, accounting for 58.26 per cent of total inflows in 2025, up from 56.81 per cent in 2024.

A breakdown of the figures indicates steady growth across all quarters, reflecting sustained investor participation throughout the year.

In Q1 2025, inflows stood at $3.13 billion, rising from $2.07 billion in Q1 2024. The momentum continued in Q2 with $3.41 billion, compared to $1.12 billion a year earlier.

In Q3, inflows reached $3.14 billion, significantly higher than $579.48 million recorded in the same period of 2024, while Q4 saw inflows increase to $3.85 billion from $3.23 billion.

The trend suggests that capital raising efforts were sustained throughout the year, aligning with banks’ phased recapitalization strategies.

The sector maintained a dominant share of total capital importation across all quarters in 2025, accounting for 55.44 per cent in Q1, 66.56 per cent in Q2, 52.25 per cent in Q3, and 59.75 per cent in Q4.

Overall, Nigeria’s total capital importation rose to $23.22 billion in 2025, up from $12.32 billion in 2024, marking an 88.45 per cent year-on-year increase.

The banking sector alone contributed over $6.53 billion to the total increase of $10.90 billion, underscoring its central role in driving growth.

Analysts attribute the surge largely to the ongoing recapitalisation exercise, which has reshaped capital flows into the sector.

With new minimum capital requirements reaching up to ₦500 billion for international banks, lenders have increasingly relied on foreign investments through equity raises, private placements, and strategic partnerships.

CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso ранее disclosed that 32 banks have already met the revised capital thresholds under the programme.

The apex bank also revealed that Nigerian banks have raised about ₦4.61 trillion in fresh capital, reflecting strong investor confidence and growing foreign participation.