Top Investment Projects in Africa in 2025
In 2025, Africa attracted USD 70 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The figure dropped from USD 94 billion registered in 2024. Interestingly, Africa is starting to finance some of these transformative infrastructure projects using its own funds, although foreign capital and expertise are still most welcome. The top beneficiary sectors are: Public Infrastructure, #EnergyTransition, #CriticalMinerals, and #Digitalization.
First of all, it is perhaps worth repeating that a project announcement, or even a signature, does not guarantee implementation. The Inga 3 Dam was announced many years ago, and the fund mobilization and structuring of the deal have seen many setbacks. Only in June 2025 did the WB recently approve a new USD one billion package and released a first tranche of USD 250 million for project preparation. Similarly, the extension of the Mombasa – Nairobi Standard Gauge Rail to link up the East African Community has still been under discussion for several years.
| Country/ Region | Project | Amt $B |
|---|---|---|
| NW Africa | Nigeria – Morocco Gas Pipeline | 25 |
| Mozambique | Offshore LNG | 20 |
| Ethiopia | Ming Yang Green Energy | 14 |
| DR Congo | Grand Inga Dam 3 | 14 |
| Egypt | Sokhna Steel Complex | 10 |
| EAC | East African Oil Pipeline | 5 |
| Horn | Addis – Djibouti Rail | 5 |
| Ethiopia | GCL Gas | 3 |
| Copperbelt | Lobito Corridor | 2 |
| Copperbelt | TAZARA | 1 |
| Morocco | Dakhla Port | 1 |
| East Africa | Ethiopia – Kenya Power TL | 1 |
| Mozambique | Tete – Maputo TL | 1 |
The LNG projects in Mozambique also experienced a tortuous road. After the announcement, the projects had to be put on hold due to instability. Then, as the situation normalized, many energy majors actually raised their investment level. On the other hand, the Ukraine-Russia conflict pushed the Nigeria – Morocco Pipeline Project up the priority list as the EU feverishly seeks to diversify its energy sources.
Similarly, the Golden Concord Holdings Limited (GCL) Project in Ethiopia has a history spanning several decades. Originally conceived as a Poly-GCL JV to develop oil & gas reserves in Ethiopia‘s Ogaden Basin, the project never really took off. Then, in 2024, GCL renegotiated the deal and terminated the partnership with Poly Group. The project was reoriented from export-led to import-substitution with domestic #EnergySecurity as a priority as tensions in the Middle East perdures.
Some projects have been fast-tracked due to intense competition and the race to secure certain #CriticalMinerals. Thus, the Lobito Corridor was streamlined by the US and EU, after China announced its interest in rehabilitating the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA).