Faith Nyasuguta
Qatar has just unveiled one of the boldest commitments yet in Africa’s investment. Through Al Mansour Holdings, a Doha-backed entity, the Gulf state has pledged a staggering $103 billion across six African countries, according to a new Oxford Economics Africa note. The announcement, made in late August, is the latest sign that Africa has become a critical arena in the global contest for resources, influence, and new markets.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) will be the single biggest beneficiary, set to receive $21 billion. The money will be directed towards mining, hydrocarbons, agriculture, and a dozen other sectors. With its vast cobalt and copper reserves, the DRC is a centerpiece of the global energy transition, and Qatar’s involvement showcases how strategic these minerals have become.
Mozambique will follow closely with a $20 billion package targeting agriculture and energy. Zambia and Zimbabwe are each slated for $19 billion, spanning oil, gas, and 11 additional sectors. Botswana and Burundi will receive $12 billion apiece. In Botswana, funds are earmarked for infrastructure, diamond processing, tourism, cybersecurity, and defence, while Burundi’s share will focus heavily on farming, energy, and infrastructure upgrades.
This kind of money has the potential to reshape economies. Africa has long been a source of raw resources with limited domestic processing. Analysts suggest Qatar’s pledges could shift that pattern, helping build industries that add more value locally. For example, Botswana’s diamond-driven economy could reduce its dependence on unpredictable price cycles, while Zambia and the DRC could finally unlock their critical mineral reserves more efficiently, particularly lithium and cobalt – essential for electric vehicles and clean energy technology.
Still, challenges remain. Oxford Economics points out that global diamond prices are struggling and that weak infrastructure continues to weigh down mining and mineral projects. Without major reforms, billions in investment may not achieve the promised transformation.
Qatar’s move is part of a broader wave of Gulf capital flowing into Africa. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) investments are accelerating rapidly, particularly in energy and minerals. In the first half of 2025 alone, $2.2 billion was poured into African critical minerals. Abu Dhabi’s International Resources Holding acquired Zambia’s Mopani copper mine for $1.1 billion in 2024, while DP World and AD Ports are expanding aggressively into African port operations.
This surge of Gulf investment also comes at a geopolitical turning point. With U.S. protectionism hardening under Donald Trump’s second term, many African nations are seeking alternative partners to drive their development. Gulf states, flush with cash and hungry for long-term food security, minerals, and markets, are stepping into the gap with both money and political influence.
For Qatar, the $103 billion pledge is about more than short-term financial returns. It fits neatly into Doha’s long-term strategy to reduce dependence on hydrocarbons and secure access to food supplies, minerals, and diversified markets. But experts caution that execution will be the true test.
“Securing capital is only the first step,” Oxford Economics Africa stressed in its note. “Implementation is the real measure of success.”
If successfully delivered, the Al Mansour investments could transform economies from Kinshasa’s mineral belt to Gaborone’s diamond hub, giving African nations new growth pillars beyond raw commodity exports. But the continent has heard big promises before. Whether this $103 billion becomes factories, jobs, and infrastructure – or lingers as headlines – will decide if Qatar’s Africa bet is a turning point or another missed opportunity.
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