This working paper provides some key insights into foreign direct investment (FDI) flows within Africa. It covers investment flows into Africa from the rest of the world, as well as intra-African flows.

The paper highlights key sources and destinations of FDI for Africa. Available FDI data for Africa will also be discussed which will highlight the main destinations and sources of African FDI. FDI prospects for the region as well as new FDI developments in the region will be discussed.

In addition, this paper will consider new greenfield investment on the continent which remains an important driver of industrial development, employment, and growth creation. This paper will also detail the important role that growth in manufacturing and investment has to play in developing the continent.

The paper will also provide a brief overview of current investment regulation, competition regulation and investment governance issues of importance being effected on the continent. Finally, a brief discussion of considerations for inclusion in the Investment Protocol for the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) will ensue.

Readers are encouraged to quote and reproduce this material for educational, non-profit purposes, provided the source is acknowledged. All views and opinions expressed remain solely those of the author and do not purport to reflect the views of tralac.