Investment Policy Monitor
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The Investment Policy Monitor provides the international investment community with up-to-date, country-specific information on recent policy developments affecting foreign direct investment (FDI).
Through its ongoing monitoring of investment policy changes, UNCTAD delivers cutting-edge and forward-looking contributions to investment policy discourse. The Monitor also supports evidence-based policymaking aimed at ensuring that foreign investment contributes to sustainable development. The Monitor also informs the analysis of global and regional investment policy trends featured in the World Investment Report, the Investment Policy Monitor publications and the joint UNCTAD-OECD Reports on G20 Investment Measures.
UNCTAD has tracked changes in national policies affecting FDI on an annual basis since 1992. Over time, the methodology has been revised to enhance the quality and consistency of reporting. The most recent revision, completed in 2024, further refined the monitoring framework and applied the updated classification to policy measures dating back to 2012.
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UNCTAD Investment Policy Monitor The UNCTAD Investment Policy Monitor database compiles official measures affecting FDI adopted by United Nations Member States. These encompass measures explicitly targeting foreign investment (FDI-specific), as well as general investment measures that have a clear impact on such investment (FDI-related).
The measures are either reported directly to UNCTAD by Member States through annual surveys or identified by UNCTAD researchers through publicly accessible sources (such as government websites and specialized policy databases).
The classification of measures as more or less favourable to investors is based solely on their potential impact on investors. The type of measures included in each category are described below. This classification does not reflect any value judgement by UNCTAD on the merit or suitability of the measure.
Classification of the nature of measures
More favourable to investors
Liberalization: includes privatization; lifting of entry restrictions (e.g. opening of sectors to FDI) and entry conditions (e.g. minimum capital requirement); removal (total or partial) of FDI screening or approval mechanisms; lifting of foreign exchange restrictions; liberalization of land access.
Facilitation: includes streamlining of investment procedures (e.g. one-stop shops); greater transparency of investment-related laws and procedures (e.g. information portals); introduction by IPAs and other entities of new services to assist investors (e.g. linkages programmes, investor visa facilitation or alternative dispute resolution mechanisms).
Promotion: includes establishment of IPAs or other institutions with a remit as investment promoters and expansion of their mandate; adoption of investment promotion strategy and plans; introduction of PPPs, auctions, and concessions initiatives or framework; introduction of OFDI promotion initiatives.
Incentives: includes adoption of new tax and financial incentives schemes for investment; introduction of other incentives (e.g. citizenship by investment programmes); adoption of new SEZ-related incentives.
Other regulatory changes: includes enhancement of investor treatment and protection guarantees; easing of labour or migration regulations concerning foreign hires and key personnel; removal of operational restrictions on investment (e.g. local content requirements).
Less favourable to investors
Entry: includes introduction or tightening of entry restrictions (e.g. total or partial ban on FDI in specific sectors); introduction or tightening of entry conditions (e.g. minimum investment threshold, joint venture requirements or State participation in strategic sectors); introduction or expansion of screening mechanisms for national security.
Treatment and operation: includes introduction or expansion of foreign exchange restrictions; introduction or expansion of restrictions on foreign hires and key personnel; removal or reduction of investment incentives; introduction or expansion of post-establishment requirements for local content; reduction of guarantees for investment treatment and protection; introduction or expansion of restrictions on OFDI.
Note: Measures are verified, to the fullest extent possible, by referencing government sources. The compilation of measures is not exhaustive.
Disclaimer: the boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
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Investment Policy Measures
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South Africa
12 Sep 2024Issues Currency and Exchanges Guidelines for Business Entities
On 12 September 2024, the Reserve Bank of South Africa issued new guidelines affecting outward foreign direct investment (FDI): • Conditions for Outward FDI: South African companies, including State-owned enterprises, can transfer [...]
South Africa
16 Aug 2024Adopts Electricity Regulation Amendment Act
On 16 August 2024, the President of the Republic of South Africa signed into law the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill (Act 38 of 2024). The Act aims to amend the Electricity Regulation Act of 2006 to open the sector to greater [...]
South Africa
21 Feb 2024Introduces an investment allowance for new investments in production of electric vehicles
On 21 February 2024, the Minister of Finance of South Africa presented the 2024 Budget, which includes inter alia an incentive for producers of electric vehicles. According to the Budget, to encourage the production of electric vehicles [...]
South Africa
02 Jun 2023Introduces new regulations on moving assets overseas
In June 2023, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) introduced new controls on the procedures used by resident individuals to transfer their funds overseas. Under the previous system, any individual could use their foreign investment [...]
South Africa
31 May 2023Invest SA launches an Energy One-Stop Shop
On 31 May 2023, Invest SA launched Energy One-Stop Shop. The InvestSA One Stop Shop initiative simplifies the administrative procedures for issuing business approvals, permits and licences and thereby remove bottlenecks that investors [...]
South Africa
23 Feb 2023Extends research and development tax incentive
The Minister of Finance announced on 22 February 2023 that the Section 11D research and development (R&D) tax incentive, providing for a 150% deduction for qualifying expenditure on eligible scientific or technological R&D [...]
South Africa
23 Feb 2023Offers incentives for investment in renewable-energy projects
On 22 February 2023, The Minister of Finance of South Africa delivered the annual Budget Speech. The 2023 Budget includes tax incentives to support businesses and households who invest in renewable energy, including rooftop solar, [...]
South Africa
23 Feb 2022Budget 2022 Speech with implications for tax incentives
The Minister of Finance of South Africa presented the 2022 Budget on February 23, 2022, ending tax incentives for rolling stock, airport and port assets, and the film industry as of February 28, 2022, and January 1, 2022, respectively. [...]
South Africa
23 Feb 2022Reduces the corporate income tax rate and increases employment tax benefits
According to the Budget Speech for 2022 / 2023, which was delivered by the Minister of Finance on 23 February 2022, the corporate income tax rate will be reduced to 27% (from 28%), for companies with years of assessment ending on or [...]
South Africa
28 Sep 2021Restricts foreign ownership of private security companies
On 28 September 2021, the Private Security Industry Regulation Amendment Act, 2014 received assent. Among other issues, the Amendment Act introduces a requirement that private security companies be owned and controlled to at least [...]
South Africa
14 Feb 2019South Africa introduces a screening mechanism of foreign investment
The Competition Amendment Act, published on 14 February 2019, significantly amended the competition law regime in South Africa. Additionally, it introduced the screening mechanism of foreign investments in this country. The new law [...]
South Africa
02 Feb 2019Adoption of Carbon Tax Act
The Carbon Tax was passed into law by the South African parliament on 5 February 2019. The tax will be implemented in a phased manner, taking into account the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) commitment to reduce [...]
South Africa
09 Nov 2018Defense Sector Code adopted
The sector codes were gazetted by the Minister of Trade and Industry in November 2018 to enable, inter alia, sector specific transformation of the defence industry. The key highlight of the sector code stipulates that companies must [...]
South Africa
13 Jul 2018Protection of Investment Act came into effect
On 13 July 2018, the Protection of Investment Act came into effect with the publication of the presidential proclamation on the commencement of the Act. The Act, which had been adopted and assented to in 2015, has been passed following [...]
South Africa
15 Jun 2017Government adopted Mining Charter 2017 which raises black ownership threshold for mining firms
The new Mining Charter raises the minimum threshold for black ownership of mining companies to 30 per cent from 26 per cent. According to the Minister of Mineral Resources, companies have 12 months to meet the new 30 per cent target. [...]
South Africa
17 Mar 2017National Invest One-Stop Shop launched
The One Stop Shop launched on 17 March 2017 is a focal point of the government to shorten and simplify administrative procedures and guidelines for foreign companies wishing to invest in South Africa. It brings together key government [...]
South Africa
15 Jul 2016Launches initiative to enhance intra-African trade and investment
On 1 April 2016, the Minister of the Department of Trade and industry of South Africa launched a new initiative: The Trade Invest Africa. The “Trade Invest Africa” represents a strategy to enhance intra-African trade and investment. [...]
South Africa
13 Dec 2015Protection of Investment Act approved
The "Protection of Investment Act" was approved by the President on 13 December 2015. It replaces lapsed bilateral investment treaties. Further, it provides that "Existing investments that were made under such treaties will continue [...]
South Africa
27 Nov 2014Guidelines for extending the automotive investment scheme to medium and heavy commercial vehicle manufacturers
South Africa approved guidelines for the new Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles-Automotive Investment Scheme. It provides a non-taxable cash grant of 20% of the value of qualifying investment in productive assets by medium and heavy [...]
South Africa
19 May 2014Special Economic Zone Act No. 16 of 16 May 2014 adopted.
The new Act provides for the designation, promotion, development, operation and management of SEZs; the establishment of the SEZ Advisory Board; the establishment of the SEZ Fund; the regulation of application, issuing, suspension, [...]
South Africa
08 Nov 2010Launches new incentives schemes
On 8 November 2010, South Africa launched an incentive programme comprising two components per project: (i) an investment allowance of up to a maximum of R900 million, and (ii) a training allowance of up to R30 million. Both allowances [...]
South Africa
08 Nov 2010New incentives schemes
On 8 November 2010 South Africa launched an incentive programme that comprises of two components per project depending on compliance: (i) an investment allowance of up to a maximum of R900 million, and (ii) a training allowance of [...]
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The Investment Policy Monitor provides the international investment community with up-to-date, country-specific information on recent policy developments affecting foreign direct investment (FDI).
Through its ongoing monitoring of investment policy changes, UNCTAD delivers cutting-edge and forward-looking contributions to investment policy discourse. The Monitor also supports evidence-based policymaking aimed at ensuring that foreign investment contributes to sustainable development. The Monitor also informs the analysis of global and regional investment policy trends featured in the World Investment Report, the Investment Policy Monitor publications and the joint UNCTAD-OECD Reports on G20 Investment Measures.
UNCTAD has tracked changes in national policies affecting FDI on an annual basis since 1992. Over time, the methodology has been revised to enhance the quality and consistency of reporting. The most recent revision, completed in 2024, further refined the monitoring framework and applied the updated classification to policy measures dating back to 2012.
-
UNCTAD Investment Policy Monitor The UNCTAD Investment Policy Monitor database compiles official measures affecting FDI adopted by United Nations Member States. These encompass measures explicitly targeting foreign investment (FDI-specific), as well as general investment measures that have a clear impact on such investment (FDI-related).
The measures are either reported directly to UNCTAD by Member States through annual surveys or identified by UNCTAD researchers through publicly accessible sources (such as government websites and specialized policy databases).
The classification of measures as more or less favourable to investors is based solely on their potential impact on investors. The type of measures included in each category are described below. This classification does not reflect any value judgement by UNCTAD on the merit or suitability of the measure.
Classification of the nature of measures
More favourable to investors
Liberalization: includes privatization; lifting of entry restrictions (e.g. opening of sectors to FDI) and entry conditions (e.g. minimum capital requirement); removal (total or partial) of FDI screening or approval mechanisms; lifting of foreign exchange restrictions; liberalization of land access.
Facilitation: includes streamlining of investment procedures (e.g. one-stop shops); greater transparency of investment-related laws and procedures (e.g. information portals); introduction by IPAs and other entities of new services to assist investors (e.g. linkages programmes, investor visa facilitation or alternative dispute resolution mechanisms).
Promotion: includes establishment of IPAs or other institutions with a remit as investment promoters and expansion of their mandate; adoption of investment promotion strategy and plans; introduction of PPPs, auctions, and concessions initiatives or framework; introduction of OFDI promotion initiatives.
Incentives: includes adoption of new tax and financial incentives schemes for investment; introduction of other incentives (e.g. citizenship by investment programmes); adoption of new SEZ-related incentives.
Other regulatory changes: includes enhancement of investor treatment and protection guarantees; easing of labour or migration regulations concerning foreign hires and key personnel; removal of operational restrictions on investment (e.g. local content requirements).
Less favourable to investors
Entry: includes introduction or tightening of entry restrictions (e.g. total or partial ban on FDI in specific sectors); introduction or tightening of entry conditions (e.g. minimum investment threshold, joint venture requirements or State participation in strategic sectors); introduction or expansion of screening mechanisms for national security.
Treatment and operation: includes introduction or expansion of foreign exchange restrictions; introduction or expansion of restrictions on foreign hires and key personnel; removal or reduction of investment incentives; introduction or expansion of post-establishment requirements for local content; reduction of guarantees for investment treatment and protection; introduction or expansion of restrictions on OFDI.
Note: Measures are verified, to the fullest extent possible, by referencing government sources. The compilation of measures is not exhaustive.
Disclaimer: the boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
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