Nigeria recorded a 12.3 per cent year-on-year increase in net foreign exchange inflow to $41.73 billion in the first eight months of 2025, compared to $37.14 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2024.
An analysis of data from the monthly economic reports of the Central Bank of Nigeria showed that the increase in net foreign exchange inflow was driven by a 21.3 per cent rise in forex inflows into the economy, which offset a 34.4 per cent increase in forex outflows during the period.
According to the CBN data, total foreign exchange inflow into the Nigerian economy rose to $74.14 billion in the first eight months of 2025, up from $61.09 billion recorded in the same period of 2024.
On the other hand, foreign exchange outflows from the economy increased by 34.4 percent year on year to $32.2 billion in the first eight months of 2025, from $23.95 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2024.
A trend analysis further showed that net foreign exchange inflows into the economy declined by 4.14 percent quarter on quarter to $14.57 billion in the second quarter of 2025, from $15.2 billion recorded in the first quarter of the year.
The CBN, in its latest Monthly Economic Report, also disclosed that net foreign exchange inflow declined sharply in August 2025 to $3.74 billion, compared to $8.22 billion recorded in July 2025.
The apex bank attributed the decline to reduced inflows from autonomous sources.
According to the CBN, “The economy recorded a lower net foreign exchange inflow, due largely to reduced inflow from autonomous sources. Aggregate foreign exchange inflow fell to $7.09 billion, from $10.67 billion in July, while aggregate outflow increased to $3.36 billion, from $2.46 billion in the preceding month. This resulted in a net inflow of $3.74 billion, compared to $8.22 billion in the preceding month.
Foreign exchange flow through the Bank indicated a decline in inflow to $3.04 billion from $4.29 billion, and an increase in outflow to $1.94 billion, from $1.37 billion in the preceding month. Consequently, the Bank recorded a net inflow of $1.10 billion, compared with a net inflow of $2.92 billion in July.
Through autonomous sources, inflow of foreign exchange declined to $4.05 billion, from $6.39 billion, while outflow decreased to $1.42 billion, from $1.09 billion. As a result, a lower net inflow of $2.64 billion was recorded through autonomous sources, compared with $5.30 billion in the preceding period.”
