Investment Policy Monitor
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UNCTAD has been collecting information on changes in national foreign direct investment (FDI) policies on an annual basis since 1992. This collection has provided input to the analysis of global and regional investment policy trends in the World Investment Report, the Investment Policy Monitors and the UNCTAD-OECD Reports on G20 Measures.
In 2024, to further strengthen the quality of reporting, UNCTAD revised the methodology of monitoring investment policy measures. and revised the measures going back to 2012 accordingly.
The Investment Policy Monitor provides the international investment community with country-specific, up-to-date information about the latest developments in foreign investment policies.
Through its monitoring of investment policy changes, UNCTAD offers cutting-edge and innovative contributions to investment policy discourse, and contributes to preparing the ground for future policymaking in the interest of making foreign investment work for sustainable development.
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The UNCTAD's Investment Policy Monitor database include official measures affecting FDI adopted by United Nations Member States. These encompass measures explicitly targeting FDI (FDI-specific), as well as general investment measures with a clear impact on foreign 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 is based solely on their potential impact on investors.
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
08 Dec 2023Adopts the Rail Private Sector Participation Framework
On 8 December 2023, the Cabinet approved the Rail Private Sector Participation Framework, which aims to provide an interim approach to and a model for future decision-making to enable private sector participation in the railway infrastructure [...]
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
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
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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UNCTAD has been collecting information on changes in national foreign direct investment (FDI) policies on an annual basis since 1992. This collection has provided input to the analysis of global and regional investment policy trends in the World Investment Report, the Investment Policy Monitors and the UNCTAD-OECD Reports on G20 Measures.
In 2024, to further strengthen the quality of reporting, UNCTAD revised the methodology of monitoring investment policy measures. and revised the measures going back to 2012 accordingly.
The Investment Policy Monitor provides the international investment community with country-specific, up-to-date information about the latest developments in foreign investment policies.
Through its monitoring of investment policy changes, UNCTAD offers cutting-edge and innovative contributions to investment policy discourse, and contributes to preparing the ground for future policymaking in the interest of making foreign investment work for sustainable development.
-
The UNCTAD's Investment Policy Monitor database include official measures affecting FDI adopted by United Nations Member States. These encompass measures explicitly targeting FDI (FDI-specific), as well as general investment measures with a clear impact on foreign 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 is based solely on their potential impact on investors.
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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