The Nigerian Exce Limited recorded a notable shift in foreign investment activity in the first quarter of 2026, as inflows rose sharply by 78 percent to N393.68 billion, compared to N221.62 billion in the same period of 2025. This surge reflects renewed interest from international investors in Nigeria’s equity market.
Despite the strong inflows, capital outflows also increased significantly, climbing by 31.2 percent to N420.37 billion year to date, up from N320.37 billion recorded in 2025. This trend suggests that while foreign investors are returning to the market, many remain cautious and continue to withdraw substantial funds.
Data from the NGX Domestic and Foreign Portfolio Participation in Equity Report revealed that total transactions on the Exce rose by 13.10 percent month on month to N1.744 trillion in March 2026, up from N1.5424 trillion in February. The growth highlights increased trading activity and market participation.
However, domestic investors maintained a dominant position in the market. In March, the value of transactions by local investors exceeded foreign transactions by approximately 66 percent, underscoring their continued importance in sustaining market liquidity.
A c look at month on month performance shows mixed trends. Domestic transactions grew modestly by 3.72 percent, rising from N1.4033 trillion in February to N1.4556 trillion in March. On the other hand, foreign transactions experienced a dramatic increase of 107.74 percent, jumping from N139.03 billion to N288.82 billion within the same period.
Within the domestic segment, institutional investors continued to outperform retail investors. Institutional transactions increased by 6.95 percent to N914.23 billion, while retail activity declined slightly by 1.30 percent to N541.37 billion.
Overall, the data points to a market experiencing renewed foreign interest but tempered by cautious sentiment, with domestic investors still playing a ilizing role.
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