Report says Ethiopia led global BRI engagement growth in first half of 2026
A joint university research report cited by The Reporter says Ethiopia attracted more than $18.9 billion in Belt and Road engagement, led by planned renewable-energy projects.
In short
- A joint university research report cited by The Reporter says Ethiopia attracted more than $18.9 billion in Belt and Road engagement, led by planned renewable-energy projects.
Ethiopia recorded the largest increase in Belt and Road Initiative engagement worldwide during the first half of 2026, attracting more than $18.9 billion, according to a research report cited by The Reporter Ethiopia.
The findings were attributed to the Green Finance & Development Center at Fudan University and the University of Queensland Business School. The report said Africa remained the leading destination for BRI investment, drawing $33.5 billion in the six-month period, a 254% increase from the same period in 2025.
Ethiopia’s total was driven largely by green-energy agreements involving the Ethiopian Investment Commission and China’s Ming Yang Smart Energy Group. The reported first phase includes an $7.5 billion, 8.4-gigawatt wind-and-solar project. A second phase envisages another $7.3 billion for green ammonia production and manufacturing of electricity-transmission and wind-turbine equipment.
Globally, the researchers put first-half BRI investment at $49.8 billion and construction contracts at $76.5 billion. Energy-related engagement accounted for $36.3 billion, including $14.3 billion for wind, solar and waste-to-energy projects and $5.3 billion for hydropower.
The figures describe announced investment and engagement rather than completed capital deployment. The source article was labeled sponsored content, so the totals and projected benefits should be assessed against subsequent project financing, construction and commissioning milestones.
