Haiti: Investing

FDI in Figures

According to the UNCTAD's World Investment Report 2025, FDI inflows to Haiti increased from USD 32 million to USD 41 million between 2023 and 2024. At the end of the same period, the total stock of inward FDI reached USD 2.1 billion, around 8% of the country’s GDP. Despite an increase in the stock, its share contracted compared to 2020, when it stood at 13.4%, due to nominal GDP growth after the COVID-19 pandemic. More recently, construction, textile, and the manufacture of automotive components have also been drawing foreign investments. The United States and the countries of the European Union are Haiti's main investors, although China has grown in importance, with investments in construction, energy, and telecommunications. Chinese companies have been active in developing infrastructure projects, including roads and energy facilities. Haiti has also partnered with its neighbour, the Dominican Republic, to attract more FDI.

Haiti, one of the most urbanised nations in Latin America and the Caribbean, is situated in the western third of the island of Hispaniola. While Haiti's investment climate presents opportunities, it also presents significant challenges. The country boasts ample arable land and a youthful population, yet these advantages are offset by endemic corruption, inadequate infrastructure, political instability, violence in the capital, high inflation, and the emigration of numerous skilled professionals from the private and medical sectors. Despite the challenging business climate, Haiti's legislation actively promotes foreign direct investment. The government has prioritised infrastructure development, including enhancements in energy production, and has identified agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism as key investment sectors. The Haitian investment code ensures equal rights, privileges, and protection for both local and foreign companies. According to Haitian law, the business environment offers equitable treatment to all investors, including women, minorities, and foreign nationals. Various types of businesses can be established in Haiti, including sole proprietorships, partnerships, joint-stock companies, public corporations, subsidiaries of foreign companies, and cooperative societies, with corporations being the most prevalent business structure. Foreign firms are incentivised to engage in government-funded development projects. Performance requirements are typically not mandated on foreign firms as prerequisites for initiating or expanding investments, unless explicitly stated in a signed contract. Despite the Haitian government’s efforts to establish economic stability and promote sustainable, private sector-driven, market-based growth, the country faces a difficult macroeconomic outlook amid a severe humanitarian crisis. Haiti continues to suffer from the economic fallout caused by repeated gang-related port blockades, which have disrupted supply chains and triggered a sharp rise in food prices. For example, due to supply chain disruptions, fuel shortages, and gang-related violence, the textile industry’s workforce declined by over 45% between September 2023 and March 2024, falling to 32,000 employees. Haiti’s overall business climate is considered poor, and the country ranks 168th among the 180 economies on the Corruption Perception Index 2024 and 163rd out of 184 countries on the latest Index of Economic Freedom.

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Latest Update: October 2025