The latest analysis of China’s investment and construction under its international flagship project, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has found record-sized deals in the first half of 2026, marking its strongest year since 2013. The data reveals a major surge in overseas investment and construction activity across energy, mining and emerging technologies.
Professor Christoph Nedopil from The University of Queensland’s Business School leads extensive research on the BRI – China’s global infrastructure-building scheme – and said that from his new analysis, investments and construction were surging.
The review shows China’s global infrastructure engagement reached US$49.8 billion in investment and US$76.5 billion in construction contracts in the first half of 2026, signalling renewed momentum despite global trade uncertainty.
Energy projects dominated China’s BRI activity, hitting a record US$36.3 billion – and, for the first time, more than half of this was directed toward green energy, including wind, solar, hydro and waste‑to‑energy developments.
Alongside continued investment in gas and a proposed coal plant in Zambia, China accelerated spending in critical minerals and metals processing, with US$21.8 billion flowing into steel and aluminium projects vital for automotive manufacturing, transmission lines and clean‑tech supply chains.
Technology, manufacturing and transport also saw significant growth, with major commitments to battery production, green ammonia, high‑speed rail, aviation and port infrastructure. Africa emerged as the top destination for Chinese BRI investment, while the Middle East led construction activity.
Professor Nedopil anticipates further expansion throughout 2026 as China doubles down on energy, mining and new technologies to strengthen supply chain resilience and advance what it calls the “New Three” industries.
Key findings from China BRI Investment Report
- 2026 H1 saw the highest BRI engagement for any first six months since 2013, with USD49.8 billion in investment and USD76.5 of construction contracts.
- China’s energy-related engagement in 2026 H1 reached record levels with about USD36.3 billion – almost double the energy engagement in any first half year since 2013 except 2025.
- 56% of China’s energy engagement was green – a new record both in absolute and in relative terms
- More than USD20 billion in H1 2026, same level as green energy engagement in all 2025;
- More than 20 GW of green electricity projects confirmed through investment and construction – more than in all of 2025.
- A Chinese company agreed to build a new 660 MW coal-fired power plant in Zambia - approvals are pending.
- Metals and mining sector reached a record high of USD 21.8 billion in 2026 H1 alone, higher than any full year since 2013 except 2025 – mostly in processing not mining.
- Focus areas were steel production (Egypt) and aluminium (Kazakhstan), highly relevant for e.g., automotive manufacturing and transmission lines.
- The technology and manufacturing sector reached record levels growing by about 11% (technology) and 81% (manufacturing) compared to 2025 H1 to USD17 billion and USD6.5 billion, respectively.
- The transportation sector grew for the first time since 2020 to USD18.2 billion – all through construction contracts.
- Africa – again – topped the regional rank of BRI engagement, almost tripling Chinese BRI investment compared to H1 2025 to USD33.5 billion – more than ever.
- Middle East tops the list of construction engagement with USD 36.5 billion - record levels for any H1 since 2013.
- No engagement in Pakistan or Russia recorded in H1 2026.
- The private sector expanded its share of total engagement (USD) from 13% in 2020 to 48% in 2026 H1 (as compared to state-owned companies).
- China’s global footprint in overseas investment remains small compared to its GDP (0.8%) – significantly smaller than Germany (1.7%), the Netherlands (4.0%), Japan (4.2%), or UAE (10.1%).
View the full China Belt and Road Initiative Investment Report 2026
