Shocking Surge! Foreign Investment Outflow from NGX Jumps 251% in Q1’25
“Foreign investors pull out ₦420.37 billion — outflow surpasses inflow by ₦20.11 billion!”
Foreign investors exited Nigeria’s stock market in large numbers in the first quarter of 2025, with outflows rising sharply by 250.86% to ₦420.37 billion, up from ₦119.81 billion recorded in Q1’24.
This was revealed in the latest Foreign Portfolio Investment Report released by the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX). According to the data, foreign outflows exceeded inflows by ₦20.11 billion, signaling capital flight concerns.
However, it wasn’t all gloomy—foreign inflows into the market also rose by 275% YoY to ₦349.97 billion, up from ₦93.37 billion in Q1’24.
Market Size and Participation
The total value of equity transactions (from both domestic and foreign investors) in Q1’25 stood at a whopping ₦2.23 trillion, a 44.8% increase compared to ₦1.54 trillion in Q1’24.
• Foreign transactions: ₦814.05 billion
• Domestic transactions: ₦1.41 trillion
March Madness: Huge Spike in Monthly Trading
In March 2025 alone, the NGX recorded a massive 118.95% MoM increase in total market activity:
• Total transactions: ₦1.1155 trillion (~$725.86 million), up from ₦509.47 billion in February
• Compared to March 2024 (₦538.54 billion), this marks a 107.14% YoY increase
Impressively, foreign investors outperformed their domestic counterparts by 26% in March.
Breakdown of Inflows and Outflows (March 2025):
• Foreign Transactions:
• Rose 1,541% MoM to ₦699.89 billion (from ₦42.65 billion in Feb)
• Domestic Transactions:
• Dropped 10.98% MoM to ₦415.62 billion (from ₦466.82 billion)
Domestic inflows in March: ₦205.95 billion (down 26.78% from Feb)
Domestic outflows in March: ₦209.67 billion (down 17.53% from Feb)
Bottom Line
Despite a rise in total foreign inflow, the fact that outflows outpaced them raises concern over investor confidence. The sharp spike in foreign participation during March shows renewed interest, but sustainability remains uncertain.
“Foreign investors pull out ₦420.37 billion — outflow surpasses inflow by ₦20.11 billion!”
Foreign investors exited Nigeria’s stock market in large numbers in the first quarter of 2025, with outflows rising sharply by 250.86% to ₦420.37 billion, up from ₦119.81 billion recorded in Q1’24.
This was revealed in the latest Foreign Portfolio Investment Report released by the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX). According to the data, foreign outflows exceeded inflows by ₦20.11 billion, signaling capital flight concerns.
However, it wasn’t all gloomy—foreign inflows into the market also rose by 275% YoY to ₦349.97 billion, up from ₦93.37 billion in Q1’24.
Market Size and Participation
The total value of equity transactions (from both domestic and foreign investors) in Q1’25 stood at a whopping ₦2.23 trillion, a 44.8% increase compared to ₦1.54 trillion in Q1’24.
• Foreign transactions: ₦814.05 billion
• Domestic transactions: ₦1.41 trillion
March Madness: Huge Spike in Monthly Trading
In March 2025 alone, the NGX recorded a massive 118.95% MoM increase in total market activity:
• Total transactions: ₦1.1155 trillion (~$725.86 million), up from ₦509.47 billion in February
• Compared to March 2024 (₦538.54 billion), this marks a 107.14% YoY increase
Impressively, foreign investors outperformed their domestic counterparts by 26% in March.
Breakdown of Inflows and Outflows (March 2025):
• Foreign Transactions:
• Rose 1,541% MoM to ₦699.89 billion (from ₦42.65 billion in Feb)
• Domestic Transactions:
• Dropped 10.98% MoM to ₦415.62 billion (from ₦466.82 billion)
Domestic inflows in March: ₦205.95 billion (down 26.78% from Feb)
Domestic outflows in March: ₦209.67 billion (down 17.53% from Feb)
Bottom Line
Despite a rise in total foreign inflow, the fact that outflows outpaced them raises concern over investor confidence. The sharp spike in foreign participation during March shows renewed interest, but sustainability remains uncertain.