Investing in Africa: country guides for foreign investors
One guide per country, built on official data, answering the questions investors ask before they commit. Each guide stops where the answer depends on your product, budget and timeline; that part we answer on a call.
Investing in West Africa
Investing in Nigeria
Nigeria is Africa's largest market: 237.5 million people, four in ten under 15, and a labour force of 116.6 million.
Investing in Ghana
Ghana has turned around since its 2022 default: the IMF programme ended in July 2026, inflation fell from an average of 38% in 2023 to 5.2% in September 2026, and government debt dropped from 93% to 49% of GDP.
Investing in East Africa
Investing in Kenya
Kenya drew a record $3.2 billion of foreign direct investment in 2025, according to UNCTAD, led by the digital economy and renewable energy.
Investing in North Africa
Investing in Egypt
Egypt was Africa's largest destination for foreign direct investment in 2025 for the fourth year in a row, with about $15.5 billion, according to UNCTAD.
Investing in Morocco
Foreign direct investment into Morocco rose 91% in 2025 to about $3.3 billion, according to UNCTAD, led by car and battery projects.
Investing in Southern Africa
Investing in South Africa
South Africa holds the largest stock of foreign direct investment of any African economy, about $115 billion in 2024, led by British, Dutch and Belgian companies.
What every guide answers
- Is now a good time to invest, given the currency, interest rates and recent events?
- Who are the customers and the workers?
- How much foreign direct investment does the country get, and from which countries?
- Which incentives, tax rates and special economic zones apply?
- Which roadblocks do investors raise most, and what do they do about them?
- How does a foreign company set up, step by step?
- Which sectors have the strongest case, with a deep dive on one, and what should Chinese investors know?
We are adding guides one country at a time. If you are looking at a country that is not here, or need the answers these guides hold back, write to us and an analyst will reply. investors@pollsafrica.com
Data for comparing countries
Questions about investing in Africa
Which African country gets the most foreign direct investment?
Egypt has been Africa's largest recipient of new foreign direct investment for four years running, with about $15.5 billion in 2025 according to UNCTAD. South Africa holds the largest stock of past foreign investment, about $115 billion in 2024 by the IMF's count. Morocco's inflows nearly doubled in 2025.
Can foreigners own 100% of a company in Africa?
In most sectors, yes, in every country these guides cover. Each country has exceptions, such as minimum capital rules for foreign investors, local ownership rules in mining, telecoms or import trading, and South Africa's empowerment (B-BBEE) scorecard. Each guide lists the rules for its country.
What incentives do African countries offer foreign investors?
The most common are special economic zones and free zones with lower corporate tax and duty-free imports, tax holidays or deductions for priority sectors and regions, cash grants in some countries such as Morocco, and duty-free access to Europe, the United States and the African Continental Free Trade Area for goods made locally.
How do I choose which African country to invest in?
Start with where your customers, inputs or export markets are, then compare currency stability, interest rates, incentives, logistics and the rules for foreign owners. These guides cover the public data. The final choice depends on your product, budget and timeline, which is what our analysts answer on a call.
Where do the figures in these guides come from?
From UNCTAD, the IMF, the World Bank, national statistics offices, central banks and investment agencies, or reports that cite them. Every guide lists its sources and the date each figure was published, and shows when it was last updated.
Do you cover other African countries?
We are adding guides one country at a time. If you need a country that is not covered yet, write to investors@pollsafrica.com.