Nigeria’s banking sector has witnessed a significant surge in foreign capital inflows, rising to $13.53 billion in 2025, marking a 93.25% year-on-year increase from $7 billion recorded in 2024.
This growth is largely attributed to banks intensifying capital raising efforts ahead of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) recapitalisation deadline.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) capital importation report, the banking sector remained the largest destination for foreign capital, accounting for 58.26% of total inflows in 2025, up from 56.81% in 2024.
The sector’s dominance is evident in the consistent growth across all quarters, with inflows standing at $3.13 billion in Q1, $3.41 billion in Q2, $3.14 billion in Q3, and $3.85 billion in Q4.
The data suggests that capital raising was sustained throughout the year, aligning with banks’ phased recapitalisation strategies.
The banking sector’s share of total capital importation was significant, accounting for 55.44% in Q1, 66.56% in Q2, 52.25% in Q3, and 59.75% in Q4.
Nigeria’s total capital importation increased to $23.22 billion in 2025, up from $12.32 billion in 2024, reflecting an 88.45% year-on-year growth.
The banking sector alone contributed over $6.53 billion to the total increase of $10.90 billion, reinforcing its central role in driving overall growth.
The CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, disclosed that 32 banks have already met the revised minimum capital requirements, with Nigerian banks mobilising a total of N4.61 trillion in fresh capital under the ongoing recapitalisation programme.
