China's global investment and infrastructure initiative-the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)-has reached new heights in the first half of 2025, with total engagement soaring to USD 124 billion, the highest level ever recorded for a six-month period. That's the key finding from the China Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Investment Report 2025, authored by Professor Christoph Nedopil, Director of the Griffith Asia Institute.
Released today by Griffith University in collaboration with the Green Finance & Development Center in China, the report reveals that Chinese entities signed USD 66.2 billion in construction contracts and USD 57.1 billion in investments across BRI partner countries-surpassing the total for all of 2024.
According to Professor Nedopil, the sharp rise is driven by a combination of strategic sectors.
"China's record BRI engagement in 2025 reflects a renewed push into critical sectors such as energy, mining and high-tech manufacturing," he said. "What we're seeing is China leveraging its industrial strengths to secure future competitiveness and supply chain resilience in a shifting global economy."
The energy sector led the way with USD 44 billion in deals-half of which were in oil and gas. The largest single project was a USD 20 billion gas processing park in Nigeria. However, green energy also gained ground, with USD 9.7 billion in wind, solar and waste-to-energy projects, and nearly 12 GW of new capacity installed globally.
China's metals and mining sector broke previous records, reaching USD 24.9 billion in engagement, particularly in aluminium and copper mining and processing in Central Asia. Meanwhile, technology and manufacturing saw USD 23.2 billion in new investments, including significant ventures in EV batteries, solar PV, and green hydrogen production.
Private companies are playing an increasingly prominent role. Firms like East Hope Group, Xinfa Group, and Longi Green Energy led high-value investment projects in the first half of the year-indicating a shift toward greater private sector participation in BRI financing.
Regionally, Africa and Central Asia emerged as top destinations for Chinese investment. Africa received USD 30.5 billion, nearly five times more than in the same period last year. Central Asia followed with USD 25 billion, including major projects in Kazakhstan.
"The BRI is evolving," said Professor Nedopil. "We are seeing fewer-but much larger-projects focused on long-term strategic returns, particularly in critical minerals and clean technologies that will underpin future industries."
Since its inception in 2013, cumulative BRI engagement has now surpassed USD 1.3 trillion, encompassing infrastructure, trade, and investment partnerships with over 150 countries. The report forecasts stabilised engagement levels in the second half of 2025, with continued strong interest in renewables, advanced manufacturing, and digital infrastructure-despite global economic headwinds and geopolitical uncertainty.
Find out more
If you would like to know more about the outcomes of the report, join Christoph Nedopil online to discuss the report in detail in a webinar on Tuesday, 22 July at 11:00am (AEST).
