Standard Chartered, Stanbic IBTC lead foreign inflows into Nigeria in 2025

Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Ltd and Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc dominated capital inflows into Nigeria’s banking sector in 2025, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

In 2025, total capital inflows into Nigeria increased to its highest level in seven years, to $23.21 billion in 2025 from $12.31 billion in 2024.

The banking sector recorded the highest inflow with $13,5 billion, representing 58 percent of the total capital importation in 2025, followed by the Financing sector, valued at $6.76 billion (29 percent), and the Production/Manufacturing sector with $772 million (3.32 percent),

Read also: Nigeria’s capital importation rises highest in seven years
The bureau said foreign portfolio investments (FPI) dominated inflows, totalling $19.4 billion or 85.5 percent of the total capital importation value, while other investments contributed $2.5 billion (10.7 percent).

Foreign direct investment (FDI) accounted for $923 million (3.9 percent) of the total capital importation for 2025.

Here are the Nigerian banks with the highest capital importation in 2025 according to NBS.

Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited

Standard Chartered recorded the largest inflows and one of the strongest growth rates among top-tier banks. Its inflows tripled year-on-year to $7.83 billion in 2025, representing a 200 percent increase from $2.61 billion in 2024, indicating a surge in large-ticket foreign transactions routed through international banking channels.

Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc
Stanbic IBTC remained a major destination for capital inflows, with strong growth reflecting increased foreign portfolio activity and custody transactions. During the period, total inflows rose from $4.29 billion to $7.02 billion, up 63.9 percent.

Citibank Nigeria Limited
Citibank posted moderate growth relative to peers, but maintained a strong position, suggesting steady institutional and corporate inflows. The bank ecorded $2.71 billion in capital inflow, up 25.1 percent from $2.16 billion in 2024, reflecting steady but less aggressive growth compared to peers

Access Bank Plc
The biggest shift, however, came from Access Bank Plc, where inflows more than tripled from $602.17 million to $1.84 billion, a 205.9 percent increase. The jump places the bank firmly among the leading channels for foreign capital, signaling a growing role for Nigerian lenders in cross-border transactions.

Rand Merchant Bank
Rand Merchant Bank, with $1.64 billion, was the only bank in the top tier to record a decline, down 7.7 percent from $1.78 billion. Despite this, it remained one of the largest conduits for capital, suggesting that deal flows persisted but at a reduced pace.

Ecobank Nigeria Plc
Ecobank Nigeria Plc recorded one of the most dramatic increases, with inflows rising from $86.6 million to $780.83 million, an 801.6 percent surge.

First Bank of Nigeria Plc
Among domestic banks, First Bank of Nigeria Plc saw inflows more than double to $308.25 million, up 133.7 percent,

First City Monument Bank Plc
First City Monument Bank Plc recorded a sharper rise from $36.44 million to $202.18 million, a 454.7 percent increase. FCMB posted strong growth, with inflows rising more than fourfold, suggesting increased participation in foreign-funded transactions.

Read also: Capital importation falls to $1.25bn, lowest in 2024

Guaranty Trust Bank Plc
A similar pattern played out at Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, where inflows increased from $35.97 million to $172.82 million, up 380.5 percent, indicating stronger foreign investor engagement with Nigerian banks beyond the traditional leaders.

FSDH Merchant Bank Limited
FSDH Merchant Bank Limited posted the fastest growth rate. Its inflows rose from $15.69 million to $155.9 million, a 893.6 percent increase, highlighting the growing role of smaller and niche institutions in attracting capital.