Capital inflows from China into Nigeria fell by 40.9 per cent in the first quarter of 2026 despite the Federal Government’s announcement that it had secured over $20bn in investment commitments from Chinese investors across manufacturing, energy, mining, agriculture and other sectors.
Analysis of the National Bureau of Statistics’ Capital Importation Report for Q1 2026 by The PUNCH showed that capital imported from China declined to $5.55m during the review period from $9.39m in the corresponding quarter of 2025, representing a year-on-year decrease of 40.89 per cent.
The latest figure also represented a 13.69 per cent decline from the $6.43m recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025, indicating that Chinese capital inflows weakened on both annual and quarterly bases despite growing economic ties between the two countries.
In a statement in July 2025, the current Minister of Power, who was then the Director General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, Joseph Tegbe, said the $20bn commitment was secured through a series of engagements following the recent elevation of Nigeria-China relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
“Recent engagements have secured over $20 billion in investment commitments, focusing on critical sectors such as agriculture, automotive manufacturing, mining, steel production, and energy. These investments are set to boost food security, create jobs, and drive a new wave of industrial development in the country.
