Ethiopia’s FDI inflows rose from $10M in the 1990s to $3.98B in 2024, with its sharpest growth phase recorded from 2014–2016

Key Takeaways

  • 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.
  • After a pandemic-era dip in 2020, Ethiopia rebounded strongly in 2021 with $4.26 billion in inflows, maintaining high investment momentum through 2024

Ethiopia’s FDI inflows were minimal in the early 1990s, staying at or below $0.02 billion annually until 1996. A notable increase occurred in 1997, when inflows jumped to $0.29 billion, followed by $0.26 billion in 1998. After a brief decline in 1999 and 2000, inflows rose again, reaching $0.47 billion by 2003 and $0.55 billion in 2004.

There was a dip in 2005 to $0.27 billion, but flows picked up from 2006 onwards, crossing the $1 billion mark for the first time in 2010. From there, FDI inflows continued to grow steadily: $1.13 billion in 2011, $1.86 billion by 2014, and a sharp rise to $2.63 billion in 2015 and $4.14 billion in 2016.

After peaking in 2016, inflows declined slightly to $4.02 billion in 2017, then fell to $2.38 billion by 2020. A strong rebound followed in 2021, reaching $4.26 billion, before easing down to $3.67 billion in 2022, $3.27 billion in 2023, and then climbing back up to $3.98 billion in 2024.

Source:

UNCTAD

Period:

1990 - 2024
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Nigeria recorded an impressive 822% growth in FDI inflows between 1999 and 2009, before gradually dropping back to $1.1B in 2024
  • FDI inflows in Nigeria peaked at $8.8 billion in 2011, marking the highest point in the Fourth Republic.
  • From 2011 to 2024, FDI inflows dropped, settling at $1.1 billion in 2024.
  • The early Fourth Republic (1999–2011) showed growth in FDI inflows.
  • FDI outflows rose from $0.2 billion in 1999 to $1.5 billion in 2009, reflecting gradual international expansion by Nigerian investors.
  • From 2015 onward, both inflows and outflows showed significant volatility, with no clear recovery trend.
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).
  • Despite recovering to $130M in 2023, inflows dropped sharply to $60M in 2024, the weakest figure in over a decade.
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.
  • The country crossed the $1 billion mark for the first time in 2021, signalling increased investor confidence and macroeconomic improvements.
  • 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.
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.
  • Morocco's FDI inflows peaked twice, in 2014 and 2018, both $3.5 billion.
  • The lowest FDI inflow Morocco recorded was in 1990, amounting to $0.17 billion.
  • From 2006 onward, Morocco's FDI inflows remained mostly above $1 billion, with fluctuations.
  • The most recent year, 2024, showed a modest recovery after a significant dip in 2023.
South Africa witnessed a record FDI inflow spike in 2021 with $40.22b, followed by a sharp decline in 2022
  • In 2021, there was a record-breaking spike to $40.22 billion, far exceeding all previous years.
  • This surge was temporary, as FDI dropped to $9.28B in 2022 and fell further to $2.47B in 2024.
  • Other notable peaks occurred in 2008 ($9.21B) and 2013 ($8.30B).
  • The data reflects volatile investor behaviour, influenced by constant global investors.
  • South Africa’s 2021 FDI spike came from a share swap between Naspers and its Dutch unit, Prosus.
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