Nigeria attracted $2.6bn FDI in 2020 – United Nations

The United Nations says Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy attracted a total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of $2.6 billion in 2020 down from the $3.3 billion it attracted in 2019 while South Africa, a major competitor for FDI inflows in Sub Saharan Africa attracted less with $2.5 billion

This disclosure was retrieved from the United Nations Trade Association data reports.

It revealed that Nigeria had failed to push the needle on FDI investments in the last decade which would attract more portfolio inflows compared to direct investment which is viewed as more stable and required to boost economic growth.

FDI-related inflows are mostly targeted at the real sector funding investments in infrastructural development, technological innovation, manufacturing, health care, and Agriculture. According to the United Nations, lower oil prices and the pandemic induced locked down significantly affected Nigeria’s ability to attract inflows.

“FDI inflows to Sub-Saharan Africa decreased by 11 % to an estimated $28 billion. Inflows to Nigeria declined to $2.6 billion from $3.3 billion in 2019. Lower crude oil prices, coupled with the closure of oil development sites at the start of a pandemic due to movement restrictions, weighed heavily on FDI to Nigeria.”

The report also indicates South Africa attracted about $2.5 billion during the year about 50% less than the $4.6 billion it attracted a year earlier. FDI to South Africa almost halved to $2.5 billion from $4.6 billion in 2019.

Nigeria lost a massive Google investment after the internet giant preferred to set up in South Africa investing $140 million.

“However, several large projects were announced including an investment by Google (United States) of approximately $140 million in a fibre optics submarine cable and an additional investment of $360 million by Pepsico (United States) to expand the capacity of Pioneer Foods.”

Further details show that Africa recorded a total FDI of $38 billion in 2020 representing a drop of 18% from $46 billion recorded in 2019,

Egypt recorded the highest influx of FDI among African countries with a total inflow of $5.5 billion representing a whopping 38% drop. Despite the drop, Egypt remains the top investment destination in Africa.

According to the UN report, “FDI flows to Africa declined by 18% to an estimated $38 billion, from $46 billion in 2019. Greenfield project announcements, an indication of future FDI trends, fell 63% to $28 billion, from $77 billion in 2019. The pandemic’s negative impact on FDI was amplified by low prices of and low demand for commodities.”

Globally, reports show that FDI flows fell by as much as 42% in 2020 from about $1.5 trillion to an estimated $859 billion. The drop was mostly recorded in developed economies where FDI fell by as much as 69% to $229 billion.

However, developing economies where FDI is badly needed, recorded a 12% decline representing about 72% of a share of the global FDI. However, most of the inflows went to China with about $163 billion, the largest recipient in 2020. India’s FDI of $57 billion was higher than the entire $38 billion attracted by African countries.

Suzan O/ Nairametric