Companies from western Europe and Asia-Pacific accounted for the majority of crossborder investments into Africa in 2011, according to data from fDiMarkets. Western European companies have consistently been the most prolific investors in the continent since 2003, and this trend has continued in the first 10 months of 2011, with 228 of the 653 investments in Africa made by western European companies.

The level of investment from Asia-Pacific-based companies has markedly increased since 2003. Previously, North American companies accounted for the second largest number of projects into Africa. There has been a change in this trend, however, as in 2010 Asia-Pacific was responsible for the second largest number of crossborder investments into Africa.

There has also been an increase in the number of jobs created and the capital invested in Africa by Asia-Pacific companies. In the first 10 months of 2011, companies from Asia-Pacific have been responsible for the most capital investment ($24.44bn) and the largest number of jobs created (more than 47,000).