Africa’s Largest Greenfield Investment Projects Announced in 2025
According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) World Investment Report 2026, the total value of announced greenfield investment projects in Africa fell by nearly one‑third in 2025 compared with 2024. Despite the drop in overall value, the number of projects rose, indicating a shift from a handful of mega‑deals to a broader base of smaller investments.
The report highlights that the ten largest projects alone still accounted for roughly 40 % of the total announced greenfield value across the continent. Energy, chemicals, mining and industrial manufacturing dominated the biggest announcements, reflecting Africa’s growing role in global energy security, industrial supply chains and the race for critical minerals needed for the energy transition.
Key Findings from UNCTAD World Investment Report 2026
- Value of announced greenfield projects in Africa: ↓ ≈ 30 % year‑on‑year.
- Number of announced projects: ↑ (more projects, smaller average size).
- Top‑10 projects’ combined share of total value: ≈ 40 %.
- Dominant sectors: energy (oil & gas, renewables), chemicals, mining, automotive manufacturing.
- Geographic concentration: a few countries – Angola, Uganda, Ghana, Mauritania, Ethiopia, Zambia, DRC, Morocco – host the majority of the largest deals.
Top 10 Announced Greenfield Investments in Africa (2025)
1. Al Jedad Holding – Ghana ($5 billion)
Qatari conglomerate Al Jedad Holding unveiled a $5 billion chemical complex in Ghana, becoming the single largest announced greenfield project on the continent in 2025.
2. Alpha MBM Investments – Uganda ($4 billion)
United Arab Emirates‑based Alpha MBM Investments committed $4 billion to an oil and gas development in Uganda, supporting the country’s aim to emerge as a new major crude exporter.
3. Möhring Energie Group – Mauritania ($3.1 billion)
German renewable energy specialist Möhring Energie Group pledged $3.1 billion for a wind‑and‑solar power project in Mauritania, underscoring the nation’s rising importance in Africa’s clean‑energy transition.
4. Dangote Group – Ethiopia ($3 billion)
Nigerian industrial giant Dangote Group announced a $3 billion chemical plant in Ethiopia, marking the only African‑based investor among the top‑10 announcements for the year.
5. Golden Concord Holdings – Ethiopia ($2.5 billion)
Hong Kong‑registered Golden Concord Holdings earmarked $2.5 billion for an oil and gas venture in Ethiopia, adding to the country’s expanding portfolio of industrial and energy projects.
6. TotalEnergies – Angola ($2.5 billion)
French energy major TotalEnergies matched BP’s commitment with a further $2.5 billion investment in Angola’s offshore hydrocarbon sector, reflecting sustained confidence in the nation’s oil prospects.
7. BP – Angola ($2.5 billion)
British energy company BP allocated $2.5 billion to an oil and gas development in Angola, reinforcing the country’s status as one of Africa’s leading hydrocarbon producers.
8. Stellantis – Morocco ($1.5 billion)
The multinational automotive group Stellantis announced a $1.5 billion investment in Morocco’s automotive manufacturing sector, further cementing the North African kingdom’s reputation as a continental hub for vehicle production.
9. Fujian Xiang Xin Group – Zambia ($1.1 billion)
Chinese firm Fujian Xiang Xin Group unveiled a $1.1 billion oil and gas project in Zambia, highlighting continued investor interest in strengthening the country’s energy and industrial infrastructure.
10. CMOC Group – Democratic Republic of Congo ($1.1 billion)
Chinese mining conglomerate CMOC Group committed $1.1 billion to a metals project in the Democratic Republic of Congo, targeting copper and cobalt extraction and reinforcing the DRC’s position as a global source of critical minerals.
Implications for Africa’s Investment Landscape
While the overall value of greenfield announcements softened in 2025, the increase in project count suggests that investors are diversifying their exposure across a larger number of opportunities. The concentration of the largest deals in energy, chemicals and mining underscores the continent’s strategic importance for global supply chains, especially as the world seeks secure sources of renewable energy inputs and battery‑grade minerals.
UNCTAD’s analysis notes that international investors continue to view Africa as a viable destination for long‑term industrial and infrastructure development, particularly in resource‑rich economies and fast‑growing manufacturing centres such as Morocco and Ethiopia. Sustained policy reforms, improved regulatory frameworks and efforts to de‑risk investments will be key to translating this interest into broader, more inclusive growth across the continent.
