Inflows of foreign direct investment into Africa decreased by 44% from 2021 to 2022

Global inflows of foreign direct investment fell by 12% in 2022, and Africa saw a 44% decline from $80 billion in 2021 to $45 billion. According to UNCTAD data, only two of Africa's five major regions — North and East Africa — saw a rise in FDI in 2022.

Source:

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Period:

2021 - 2022
HTML code to embed chart
Want a bespoke report?
Reach out
Click to copy HTML embed code
Tags
Related Insights
Nigeria’s share of Africa’s FDI collapsed from ~38% in 1994 to barely 1.1% in 2024
  • Nigeria’s FDI share plunged from 35% in 1990 to 1.1% in 2024.
  • Africa’s FDI surged over the same period, leaving Nigeria behind.
  • Q1 2025 inflow was only $126.3 million, showing persistent weakness.
  • Decline mirrors structural hurdles — unstable policies, forex issues, and weak infrastructure.
In 2024, West African nations hold six spots of the top 15 Africa's Importance of Remittance Index, led by Senegal (77)
  • West Africa dominates Africa’s top 15, holding six positions on the remittance importance index.
  • Zimbabwe (78) ranks as Africa’s top country in terms of remittances' importance.
  • Senegal (77) and Nigeria (72) highlight the central role of diaspora inflows in West Africa’s economies.
  • Morocco (74) leads North Africa in remittance importance.
  • Smaller nations like Lesotho (68) and Liberia (68) depend heavily on remittances relative to their GDP.
  • The lowest-ranked countries, including Angola (9) and Djibouti (11), rely minimally on remittance inflows.
Nigerian's rail cargo volume has increased by 467% since 2020, reflecting growing trust in train transport
  • 2024 was the strongest year on record, with 495.6k tons of cargo transported, more than 60% higher than 2023 and ₦1.95 billion in freight revenue.
  • Cargo volume and revenue both crashed in 2020 due to COVID-19 disruptions, falling to 87.4k tons and ₦281.4 million respectively.
  • Recovery began in 2021–2022, as improved freight operations and industrial demand pushed steady gains in both tonnage and income.
  • Q1 2025 shows 181.5k tons and ₦650m (approx.) in revenue, signaling strong momentum that could surpass 2024 totals if maintained.
Nigeria’s rail revenue from passengers hit ₦6.7b in 2024 as traffic rebounded above 3million
  • 2020 marked the lowest point for both passenger volume (1.02 million) and revenue (₦1.7 billion), reflecting the full impact of COVID-19 lockdowns.
  • Strong recovery followed in 2021, with passenger numbers jumping to 2.71 million and revenue surging by 226% to ₦5.6 billion.
  • 2024 was the best-performing year, recording ₦6.7 billion in revenue and 3.14 million passengers, a clear sign of renewed public confidence in rail transport.
  • Q1 2025 (₦1.9 billion revenue, 929,000 passengers) suggests steady ridership levels but moderate momentum compared to the 2024 surge.
Nigeria’s public debt has soared since 2010, with domestic debt up 2,020% and external debt up 1,000% by mid 2025
  • Nigeria’s domestic debt jumped from ₦3.8 trillion in 2010 to ₦80.55 trillion by mid-2025.
  • Foreign debts increased from $4.27 billion in 2010 to $46.98 billion in 2025, reflecting growing reliance on external financing.
  • Debt accumulation surged notably after 2020, coinciding with pandemic spending, naira depreciation, and higher fiscal deficits.
  • The widening gap between revenue and debt service raises questions about Nigeria’s long-term debt sustainability.
Egypt leads African remittance recipients in 2024 with $22.7B, while Nigeria trails behind with $19.8B
  • Africa received $96.4 billion in remittances in 2024.
  • Egypt ($22.7B) and Nigeria ($19.8B) dominated inflows, accounting for nearly half of the continent’s total.
  • Egypt’s 16% growth reflects stronger remittance networks and economic linkages with its diaspora.
  • Nigeria’s inflows grew modestly (1%).
  • Ghana recorded the highest growth (91%), indicating a resurgence in diaspora remittances.
  • Zimbabwe (-6%) and Tunisia (-3%) experienced declines, pointing to potential disruptions in inflow channels.
POPULAR TOPICS
SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Get periodic updates about the African startup space, access to our reports, among others.
Subscribe Here
Subscription Form
A product of Techpoint Africa. All rights reserved