Foreign investors offloaded N576.09 billion worth of Nigerian stocks on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) in the first half of 2025, marking an 84.97% surge in outflows compared to N311.41 billion in the same period of 2024, as detailed in the NGX’s June 2025 Domestic and Foreign Portfolio Investment Report, cited by Punch.
The sell-off outpaced foreign inflows of N559.25 billion, resulting in a net negative foreign portfolio position of N16.84 billion, with total foreign transactions reaching N1.14 trillion, more than double the N540.48 billion recorded in H1 2024. Economists attribute the exodus to global market volatility triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies and high yields on Nigerian Treasury bills, which spurred divestments from equities.
The NGX report highlights a shift in investor sentiment, with foreign participation intensifying amid economic uncertainties, including naira volatility and rising interest rates, which hit 24.75% after a Central Bank of Nigeria hike on foreign inflows in Q1 2024. Domestic investors, however, drove market activity, trading N1.3 trillion in stocks in Q1 alone, outpacing foreign contributions.
