The Central Bank of Ecuador published balance of payments and foreign direct investment data showing an FDI inflow of USD 431.5 million in the first quarter of 2026, up 85.7 percent from USD 232.4 million a year earlier. The bank said this was the highest first quarter inflow in recent years and USD 199.1 million above the level recorded in January to March 2025. It also represented a 286.1 percent increase from the first quarter of 2024. The increase was driven mainly by reinvested earnings of USD 246.7 million, alongside USD 138.8 million in equity and other capital participation and USD 46 million in other capital. Within the equity component, the bank highlighted accounting and statutory operations including reserve capitalization and debt offsets that increased the share capital of several direct investment companies. The largest source countries were Singapore with USD 105.1 million and Peru with USD 101.6 million, followed by Panama, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the Bahamas, Costa Rica and the United States. By destination, inflows were concentrated in trade at USD 149.4 million, agriculture, forestry, hunting and fishing at USD 101.8 million, manufacturing at USD 90.7 million, business services including financial and insurance activities at USD 35.2 million, mining and quarrying at USD 23.3 million, transport and storage at USD 20.3 million, construction at USD 10.4 million, and electricity, gas and water at USD 0.4 million.
Central Bank of Ecuador2026-07-05
Central Bank of Ecuador reports first quarter foreign direct investment inflow of USD 431.5 million up 85.7 percent year on year
The Central Bank of Ecuador reported foreign direct investment inflows of USD 431.5 million in the first quarter of 2026, up 85.7 percent from a year earlier and the highest first quarter level in recent years. Growth was led by USD 246.7 million in reinvested earnings, with major inflows coming from Singapore and Peru. Investment was concentrated in trade, agriculture and manufacturing.