The Central Bank of Ecuador (BCE) reports that, according to the Balance of Payments and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) statistics, foreign direct investment inflows amounted to USD 431.5 million during the first quarter of 2026, representing a year-on-year increase of 85.7% compared with the same period in 2025 (USD 232.4 million).

This represents the highest level of foreign direct investment inflows recorded for a first quarter in recent years, exceeding the amount registered between January and March 2025 by USD 199.1 million. It also represents an increase of 286.1% compared with the first quarter of 2024.

The results were mainly driven by the equity and investment fund shares component, which reached USD 138.8 million. This category included statutory accounting transactions, such as the capitalization of reserves and debt-to-equity conversions, which contributed to increasing the share capital of several direct investment enterprises.

In addition, reinvested earnings amounted to USD 246.7 million. This component included several high-value transactions that made a significant contribution to the growth of foreign direct investment. Furthermore, the other capital component—reflecting the financial relationship between a foreign parent company and its branch in Ecuador—totaled USD 46.0 million, indicating that disbursements exceeded loan repayments during the quarter.

During the first quarter of 2026, foreign direct investment consisted of USD 138.8 million in equity and investment fund shares, USD 246.7 million in reinvested earnings, and USD 46.0 million in other capital. Reinvested earnings included several high-value transactions that had a positive impact on the growth of foreign direct investment during the period under review.

The main source countries of foreign direct investment were Singapore (USD 105.1 million), Peru (USD 101.6 million), Panama (USD 45.3 million), Switzerland (USD 28.4 million), the Netherlands (USD 23.0 million), the Bahamas (USD 22.9 million), Costa Rica (USD 22.1 million), and the United States (USD 20.5 million).

In terms of destination by economic activity, investment was concentrated primarily in wholesale and retail trade (USD 149.4 million), agriculture, forestry, hunting and fishing (USD 101.8 million), manufacturing (USD 90.7 million), business services—including financial and insurance activities—(USD 35.2 million), mining and quarrying (USD 23.3 million), transportation and storage (USD 20.3 million), construction (USD 10.4 million), and electricity, gas and water supply (USD 0.4 million).

The Balance of Payments is the statistical statement that summarizes all economic transactions between residents of Ecuador and the rest of the world during a given period. It provides a comprehensive record of trade in goods and services, income flows, and financial transactions, including foreign direct investment.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) comprises the resources invested in the country by non-resident investors with the objective of establishing a lasting interest in resident enterprises. These investments contribute to strengthening productive capacity, generating employment, facilitating technology transfer, and promoting the development of various sectors of the economy.

The Central Bank of Ecuador compiles and disseminates external sector statistics in accordance with internationally recognized methodological standards, providing official, timely, and reliable information that supports the analysis and monitoring of the Ecuadorian economy.