Nigeria’s net foreign‑exchange (forex) inflow climbed 23.2% year‑on‑year to $35.77 billion in the first half of 2026 (H1 2026), up from $29.77 billion in the same period of 2025.
**What does the data show?**
Vanguard’s review of the [Central Bank of Nigeria](https://www.cbn.gov.ng) Quarterly Statistical Bulletin indicates that total forex receipts rose 12.7% to $63.82 billion in H1 2026, compared with $56.62 billion a year earlier. At the same time, total outflows fell 25.5% to $19.98 billion from $26.85 billion in H1 2025.
**How did the sources differ?**
Forex inflow through the CBN slipped marginally by 0.27% to $18.28 billion, while inflows from autonomous sources surged 18.7% to $45.5 billion. Conversely, outflows via the bank dropped sharply by 40.4% to $12.2 billion, whereas outflows from autonomous channels rose 21.8% to $7.8 billion.
**What was the net result?**
Autonomous sources posted a net inflow of $37.7 billion in H1 2026, up from $31.89 billion a year earlier. The CBN itself recorded a net inflow of $6.12 billion, reversing a negative $2.13 billion balance in H1 2025.
The figures suggest a healthier foreign‑exchange position for Nigeria in early 2026, underpinned by stronger private‑sector receipts and reduced outflows through the central bank.