Nigeria saw a record $390 million in Chinese FDI in 2007

Key takeaways

  • Nigeria recorded its highest-ever Chinese FDI inflow of $390.4 million in 2007
  • The second-highest inflow of $333.1 million was recorded in 2012
  • FDI from China to Nigeria fluctuated significantly over the years, with major peaks in 2007, 2012, and 2020
  • 2022 saw a decline in Chinese FDI to Nigeria, falling to $119.6 million from $308.9 million in 2020

Chinese FDI in Nigeria has experienced significant fluctuations over the years. The highest inflow of $390.4 million was recorded in 2007, followed by $333.1 million in 2012. While there were other peaks in 2014 and 2020, the trend has generally been inconsistent, with 2022 showing a drop to $119.6 million.

Source:

Johns Hopkins University SAIS China-Africa Research Initiative

Period:

2003-2023
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Cape Verde’s FDI averaged over $68M annually over 34 years, with a record $170M in 2008 and a recent 54% drop from 2023 to 2024
  • Cape Verde attracted no foreign direct investment during the early 1990s, signalling limited investor interest at the time.
  • FDI inflows skyrocketed from $130M in 2006 to an all-time high of $170M in 2008, before stabilising above $100M for most of the 2010s.
  • The country experienced large swings, ranging from a high of $150M (2014) to lows of $50M (2020).
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Zambia’s FDI rebounded to $1.24B in 2024 after sharp decline in 2022, attracted over $22B since 1990
  • Zambia recorded its highest-ever FDI inflow in 2013 at $2.10 billion.
  • After dipping to a negative inflow of -$0.07 billion in 2022, Zambia recovered to $1.24 billion in 2024.
  • The country experienced its first billion-dollar inflow in 2007, marking a turning point in foreign investment.
  • FDI inflow was consistently below $0.5 billion throughout the 1990s, indicating limited investor confidence during that period.

Côte d'Ivoire’s FDI sees dramatic turn in 2024, jumping to $3.8B, over two times 2022 levels and its highest since 1990
  • Côte d'Ivoire attracted $3.80 billion in FDI in 2024, its highest annual inflow ever recorded, more than double 2022’s $1.6 billion.
  • Between 1990 and 2016, its FDI remained mostly below $1 billion annually, only beginning to surge from 2017 onwards.
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  • Over the last three years (2022–2024) alone, Côte d'Ivoire drew in $7.89 billion in FDI, accounting for over 40% of total inflow since 1990.

Ethiopia’s FDI inflows rose from $10M in the 1990s to $3.98B in 2024, with its sharpest growth phase recorded from 2014–2016
  • Ethiopia recorded a total of $46.43 billion in foreign direct investment between 1990 and 2024.
  • Its annual FDI inflows surged from just $10 million in 1990 to $3.98 billion in 2024, reflecting massive investor interest over time.
  • The country experienced three major FDI booms in 1997–2004, 2011–2014, and 2015–2016, driven by policy reforms and industrial expansion.
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Morocco hit its $3.5B FDI peak twice, in 2014 and 2018
  • Morocco recorded a total of $54.58 billion in FDI over the past 34 years.
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  • From 2006 onward, Morocco's FDI inflows remained mostly above $1 billion, with fluctuations.
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South Africa witnessed a record FDI inflow spike in 2021 with $40.22b, followed by a sharp decline in 2022
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  • South Africa’s 2021 FDI spike came from a share swap between Naspers and its Dutch unit, Prosus.

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