Guidance

Start investing in Africa

Find out about investment opportunities, support from the UK government, how to manage risk, how to invest ethically, and access African country guides.

• From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Department for Business and Trade
• Published: 18 November 2022

Research your market

Learn about the investment markets in Africa, stay up to date with travel advice, and find out what sectors are best for investment. Find out more about:

• North and Sub-Saharan African markets

• trade and investment statistics between the UK and partner countries

• the UK’s development finance institution British International Investment’s strategic approach to growth sectors

• UK-Africa trade agreements including with trading blocs

• Travel Advice: country-specific guidance about travelling abroad

Get help from the UK government

If you are a UK business interested in investing in Africa, you can contact DIT.Africa@fcdo.gov.uk for advice on:

• how to make useful business connections in your chosen market
• how to start investing

You can also get advice if:

• you are already investing in Africa and would like to expand
• you need help fixing problems you are having with investing in Africa

Find networking and investment opportunities

Discover opportunities available to UK investors in African countries:

• apply to be considered a qualified investor in projects sourced through Cala Capital

• explore a list of trade missions related to Africa (you will need to register for each event you are interested in)

• read the Partnership for Investment and Growth in Africa (PIGA) investment opportunity study (PDF, 1.66MB) for Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique and Zambia

• invest in international aid and development projects with Lendahand

• read guidance on aid funded business for UK companies on winning business from international aid and development projects

• learn how Manufacturing Africa provides opportunities to invest in the manufacturing sector in Africa

• read about how Energise Africa gives you the chance to make ethical investments that fight climate change

• apply to become a P4G partnership for green impact investment projects by submitting a concept note

Learn the risks of investing overseas

Learn the risks of doing business abroad including trade barriers and how to avoid them:

• Overseas Business Risk service provides information organised by country on political, economic and security risks when trading overseas

• search for barriers to trading and investing abroad by country or sector

• read guidance on tax on foreign income, including from foreign investment

• learn how to set up a business abroad (you need to register for a great.gov.uk account to access this)

• read guidance to help your business manage the risks of bribery and corruption

• learn about funding and financing (you need to register for a great.gov.uk account to access this)

Published 18 November 2022