Increased Investment Flows

The Simandou project has unlocked more than $20 billion in investment commitments, significantly strengthening Guinea-Conakry’s ties with international financiers, engineering firms and multilateral institutions. To support project development, the government has mobilized over $2 billion from international partners, including UK Export Finance, Bpifrance, Pekao Bank and Fresh Bank. Regional development finance institutions such as the Africa Finance Corporation and the African Development Bank have also expanded their exposure to Guinea-Conakry through Simandou-linked financing.

International commercial banks – including DZ Bank, BNP Paribas, Credit Suisse and Standard Chartered – have provided additional funding to project participants. Mining major Rio Tinto alone has invested approximately $6 billion in the mine and associated infrastructure. Chinese stakeholders, notably China Baowu Steel Group, China Rail Construction Corporation and China Harbour Engineering, are also central to the project, with China Baowu allocated a significant share of the $1.4 billion it raised through bond issuances toward Simandou.

Infrastructure Development

Beyond mining, Simandou is ushering in a new era of infrastructure development for Guinea-Conakry. The project encompasses the construction of more than 650 km of railway, alongside major port infrastructure, dramatically improving connectivity between mineral-rich regions and export terminals. With mining already accounting for over 21% of total exports, the new logistics corridor is expected to play a pivotal role in accelerating GDP growth and strengthening Guinea-Conakry’s position in global commodity markets.

The International Monetary Fund projects that Simandou could elevate Guinea-Conakry to the world’s fifth-largest iron ore producer, while further reinforcing exports of bauxite, for which the country holds the world’s largest reserves.

Economic Diversification

Building on the momentum generated by Simandou, the government has unveiled its 2040 national economic development strategy aimed at channeling investment beyond mining into high-impact growth sectors. Known as Simandou 2040, the strategy is anchored on five pillars: agriculture, education, infrastructure, finance and healthcare. Through expanded transport networks, energy systems and partnerships with global investors, the strategy is expected to unlock new opporutnities across Guinea-Conakry’s mining value chain and drive broader, more diversified economic growth.

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