AFRICA EMERGES AS GLOBAL INVESTMENT MAGNET WITH RECORD $97 BILLION FDI IN 2024

Foreign direct investment into Africa surged by 75% in 2024 to record $97 billion, driven largely by major projects in Egypt.

26 Jun 2025

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Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)



Africa is rapidly cementing its status as a prime global investment destination, after attracting an unprecedented $97 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2024, a staggering 75% surge from the previous year.

The latest data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) reveals that Africa’s share of global FDI rose to 6%, up from 4% in 2023, highlighting a shift in investor confidence toward the continent’s growth potential.

This historic jump was powered by massive infrastructure and urban development deals, particularly in Egypt, whose mega-projects helped catapult the North African region to the top of the investment charts. Excluding Egypt, however, FDI into Africa still grew by 12%, reaching $62 billion and accounting for 4% of global inflows.

Southern Africa recorded a robust 44% increase in FDI, attracting $11 billion, with renewed investor interest in Angola and Mozambique playing a key role. On the flip side, West Africa saw a slight 7% dip, dropping from $16 billion to $15 billion.

Governments across the continent are aggressively pursuing reform agendas, with Africa responsible for over a third of all new pro-investment policies globally in 2024, a sign of deliberate, coordinated efforts to open markets and enhance ease of doing business.

European nations maintained their position as Africa’s top investment partners, followed by the United States and China. Meanwhile, emerging sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food processing, and green energy are drawing heightened interest, diversifying the continent’s investment landscape beyond traditional commodities.

Globally, FDI rose by just 4% to $1.5 trillion. But UNCTAD warns that much of this growth stems from intra-European financial transactions rather than real productive capital. When adjusted for these, global FDI fell 11%, deepening concerns over the stagnation of meaningful investment in much of the world.

In contrast, Africa’s upward trajectory underscores its resilience and reform-driven appeal, positioning the continent not only as a resource-rich region but as a dynamic frontier for long-term, transformative investment.

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