Africa's Collapsing FDI | 07.01.2025
Your curated selection of weekly Africa business and investment headlines.
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Headlines
Sub-Saharan Africa’s FDI Flows Drying Up
Mali Court Puts Barrick Gold Mine Under Six Months State Control
China Tells Brazil Xi Jinping Will Miss BRICS Summit in Rio
South Africa Finishes Last in Competition-Friendly Economy Survey
Goodyear to Shut Down Nelson Mandela Bay Manufacturing Plant — 900 Jobs at Risk
Ethiopia Central Bank Says Foreign Banks Can Apply for Licenses
📷 Diversion of Ships to Cape of Good Hope Has Not Increased Port Activity
China’s CADFUND Announces Plan to Upgrade TAZARA
Kenya Doubles Down on Labor Export Plan Despite Resistance
🎦 Israel / Iran War Not Concerning Global Oil Markets, So Far (Peter Zeihan)
Africa
📰 Sub-Saharan Africa’s FDI Flows Drying Up
Sub-Saharan Africa received the lowest share of foreign direct investment inflows of all developing economy regions during 2012-23, new World Bank research showed. Flows to developing economies were the lowest since 2005… Read More
📰 Mali Court Puts Barrick Gold Mine Under Six Months State Control
According to the court ruling, one of Barrick’s largest mines will be managed by Soumana Makadji, an accountant and former health minister… Read More
📰 China Tells Brazil Xi Jinping Will Miss BRICS Summit in Rio
If China’s Xi doesn’t see value in the BRICS Summit, then why should you?… Read More
📰 South Africa Finishes Last in Competition-Friendly Economy Survey
South Africa has one of the least competition-friendly economies in the world, with onerous regulations making it one of the most challenging countries in which to do business. … Read More
📰 Goodyear to Shut Down Nelson Mandela Bay Manufacturing Plant — 900 Jobs at Risk
After 78 years of manufacturing tyres in Kariega, Nelson Mandela Bay, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company factory will close. The factory was opened in 1947… Read More
📰 Ethiopia Central Bank Says Foreign Banks Can Apply for Licenses
The banking sector is currently dominated by the state-owned Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, which is the biggest bank by assets and deposits. Ownership of local banks by foreign strategic investors will be capped at 40%… Read More
📷 Diversion of Ships to Cape of Good Hope Has Not Increased Port Activity
Trade diversions from Suez Canal attacks by the Houthis in 2023 has more than doubled the number of ships traversing Africa…
It was expected that South Africa’s ports would benefit, but so far that hasn’t materialized…
📰 China’s CADFUND Announces Plan to Upgrade TAZARA
Facing growing competition from the Lobito Corridor, China is stepping up its Belt and Road investments by upgrading the TAZARA railway, aiming to secure critical minerals and maintain strategic influence across Africa… Read More
📰 Kenya Doubles Down on Labor Export Plan Despite Resistance
Ruto’s controversial agreements with foreign nations have already enabled 400,000 unemployed Kenyans to secure jobs in countries like the UK, UAE, Qatar, and Poland. He now aims to expand legal migration further, targeting 1.76 million Kenyans to fill low-skilled labor gaps in developed markets.… Read More
🎦 Israel / Iran War Not Concerning Global Oil Markets, So Far (Peter Zeihan)
Major African oil producers like Nigeria (#15 globally) and Angola (#17 globally) would welcome higher oil prices. In both countries, oil accounts for 80–90% of export revenues and 50–60% of government income. In Nigeria's case, its 2025 budget assumes an oil price of $77.96/bbl. Prices above this level improve fiscal balance and support the naira which had an abysmal 2024. Brent crude briefly spiked above $80/bbl in mid-June on fears of Hormuz disruption but has since fallen below $69/bbl following a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
