A busy African port featuring cargo containers and cranes, emphasizing the region’s expanding foreign direct investment and emerging markets.
South Africa and Egypt are the only African nations to feature in the 2025 FDI Confidence Index, according to global consultancy Kearney. South Africa made the biggest leap globally, rising from 11th to 7th place after a 56% jump in FDI inflows to $661 million in Q1 2025. Meanwhile, Egypt ranks 13th, reinforcing its appeal as a key investment hub on the continent. Globally, China, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia lead the pack, while Brazil surpassed India to claim fourth place. The survey, based on responses from 536 senior executives, reveals that investor decisions are driven by innovation, economic strength, access to skilled labor, and legal and regulatory environments. For Africa, the rankings signal growing global confidence and renewed investor appetite.
