(Ecofin Agency) - In 2017, the United States of America was the leading Foreign Direct Investor in Africa, according to the 2018 edition of  "Attractiveness Program Africa" published on October 29, 2018, by the audit firm Ernst & Young.

Companies from the world's largest economy launched 130 projects in Africa in 2017 (12% of the overall projects recorded in the continent during the period under review), against 91 in 2016.  

The report thus concludes that US companies are still showing great interest in Africa while the Trump administration seems to neglect it.

The UK was second investor in Africa with 72 projects (76% more than the volume in 2016).

With 61 projects recorded during the past year, France lost one place to become the third in this ranking. Next comes China (54 projects) which has also lost one place. According to Ernest &Young analysts, the economic slowdown in this Asian giant forced authorities to monitor the movement of capital to stabilize the yuan.

With 39 projects in 2017 (105% more than in 2016) Germany gains five places and positions itself at the fifth position. In 2017, the fourth world economy launched two development programmes in Africa: the Marshall plan for Africa and the Compact with Africa initiative.

Switzerland (30 projects) gains one place to become the sixth investor in Africa ahead of South Africa (29 projects) and Holland (22 projects) which gained eight places to position themselves in the Top 10 on this ranking for the first time.

The United Arab Emirates (19 projects) lost 4 places to become the ninth ahead of Italy (17 projects).

Let’s note that 92 intra-African investments projects were recorded in 2017 against 105 in 2016. South Africa (29 projects) and Morocco (17 projects) remain the leading African investors in the continent.

Top 10 Foreign Direct Investors in Africa in 2017 :  

1-US (130 projects)

2-UK (72)

3-France (61)

4-China (54)

5-Germany (39)

6-Switzerland (30)

7-South Africa (29)

8- Holland (22)

9- The United Arab Emirates (19)

10- Italy (17)