Algeria maintained a high momentum of FDI inflows between 2000-2002 as a result of an increase in oil and gas explorations buttressed by policy reforms. The $1.065 billion received in 2002 marked the second highest level of inflows for the country since 1990, despite an 11% decline, in tandem with the global FDI downswing of 2002.
In Mali, a three-year run of positive growth in FDI inflows cooled off in 2002, falling to $102 million from a $122 million peak the previous year. The downturn has been attributed to a slowdown in gold exploration and mining activities that started with the introduction of the new mining code.
FDI inflows to Morocco took a nosedive in 2002. This downturn, however - from $2.9 billion in 2001 to $533 million in 2002 - actually represents a return to normal levels following an exceptionally large acquisition in the telecommunications sector in 2001. Morocco has thrown its doors wide open to FDI through the privatization of public enterprises. Consequently, privatization sales have periodically influenced the volume of FDI inflows.
Mozambique also saw a significant decline in inflows in 2002, when they plummeted to $155 million from $225 million in 2001. Activities in the mining sector, and aluminium in particular, accounted for most of the inflows. The sector had attracted global TNC giants to the economy, but these companies have not undertaken major projects recently, although many projects are currently in the planning stages.
The ongoing chaos and periodic violence in Somalia are still a major obstacle to FDI inflows. In 2002, FDI inflows turned negative, offsetting the small momentum registered from the gains of 2000.
Uganda´s recent open-door policy to FDI continues to bear fruit. In 2002, FDI inflows reached a record high of $275 million, compared to $229 million a year earlier. The increase is attributed in particular to liberalization of the country´s telecommunications and manufacturing sectors. Access granted for African countries to the US market by the African Growth and Opportunity Act also contributed to Uganda´s success.
National investment profiles are being published online as they become available, based on each country´s reporting schedules. The profiles, which are part of UNCTAD´s World Investment Directory, provide quick electronic access to the latest statistics on foreign direct investment (FDI) and the operations of transnational corporations (TNCs). They include statistical definitions and sources, a listing of relevant national laws and regulations, information on bilateral and multilateral agreements and a bibliography.
| Current FDI data on these countries can be found at World Investment Directory online |
