Africa Attracts Record $100 Billion in Foreign Direct Investment

Foreign direct investment (FDI) into Africa reached a historic high of over $100 billion in 2025, according to the latest UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) figures. While this represents significant growth for the continent, the data reveals a trend toward greater concentration with a select group of countries emerging as clear investment winners.

Leading Destinations

Egypt topped the list with $10.5 billion in inflows—a substantial lead over other recipients. This success reflects years of economic reforms and targeted investments in sectors like energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, and financial services. Egypt’s advantages include:

  • A population exceeding 100 million
  • A large consumer market experiencing steady growth
  • Strategic geographic position connecting Africa, the Middle East, and Europe

Beyond Egypt, four additional countries each attracted more than $3 billion in FDI:

Nigeria: $5.6 billion (West Africa’s largest destination) South Africa: $5.2 billion (continent’s most mature investment environment) Angola: $4.0 billion (diversifying beyond oil) Ethiopia: $3.6 billion (East Africa’s growth story)

Emerging Opportunities

Several smaller markets also demonstrated strong performance:

Democratic Republic of Congo: $3.1 billion (driven by demand for critical minerals) Côte d’Ivoire: $2.9 billion (Francophone West Africa’s economic engine) Kenya: $2.8 billion (East Africa’s technology and services hub) Mozambique: $2.5 billion (LNG projects transforming investment profile)

While most countries experienced positive flows, Sudan recorded net outflows of $0.6 billion—a reflection of ongoing challenges in certain markets. These divergences underscore that Africa’s investment landscape is not uniform but rather characterized by varying degrees of risk and opportunity.

The Path Forward

The concentration of FDI highlights the importance of factors like scale, strategic resources, governance improvements, and integration into global supply chains. While established leaders like Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa continue to attract capital, opportunities remain in emerging markets that strengthen their fundamentals.