Egypt remained Africa’s largest recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) for the 2nd consecutive year, attracting $15.5 billion in inflows in 2025, according to the UNCTAD World Investment Report 2026 launched in Cairo on Monday.
The report was unveiled at an event attended by Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Aati, Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Mohamed Farid, senior government officials, business leaders and representatives of international organisations.
Speaking at the event, Farid said global FDI rose 6% in 2025 to around $1.6 trillion, although growth falls to 4% after excluding financial flows linked to cross-border financial centers.
He noted that investment remains concentrated in digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence and other strategic sectors, while developing economies and Africa continue to receive a relatively modest share of global inflows.
Farid said Egypt ranked first in Africa and second in the Arab world in attracting FDI last year, adding that the government will soon roll out new digital services to simplify capital increases, mergers and acquisitions and expand its unified digital platform for business establishment and licensing.
He also said Egypt is finalising a national FDI strategy targeting 12 priority sectors to attract productive investments and support job creation.
Abdel-Aati said Egypt’s continued leadership in attracting FDI reflects the impact of ongoing economic reforms, efforts to improve the business climate and measures to strengthen the role of the private sector.
He stressed that international co-operation and multilateral action remain essential to addressing global economic and investment challenges amid continued geopolitical uncertainty.
