In the first half of 2025, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) shattered previous records, signaling that this decade may belong to a new era of infrastructure globalization. According to official statistics and research from leading Chinese think tanks, BRI investments registered an unprecedented USD 66.2 billion in construction contracts and USD 57.1 billion in direct investments during January–June 2025, the highest figures since the initiative’s inception in 2013.
This surge isn’t just about numbers. It reflects strategic recalibrations in global economic networks, China’s deepening engagement in energy and resource security, and the emergence of Africa and Central Asia as primary beneficiaries of the world’s most ambitious connectivity project.
The implications are profound:
- Energy and mining dominated the investment portfolio, underlining Beijing’s drive to secure critical minerals for its electric vehicle and green tech industries.
- Transport and digital infrastructure projects advanced in tandem, weaving the physical and virtual Silk Roads closer than ever.
- For businesses, this represents an evolving procurement and supply chain landscape where politics, technology, and sustainability converge.
In this blog, we’ll dive deep into the numbers, trends, sectors, and geographies that defined BRI’s record-breaking H1 2025, while exploring what it means for global trade flows, risk management, and strategic sourcing. Finally, we’ll include insights from Mattias Knutsson, a global procurement leader, on how firms can align with these monumental shifts.
BRI Investments at a Glance: From Vision to Historic Scale
Launched in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative is the largest infrastructure and connectivity program in modern history, spanning 150+ countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America. Over the past decade, cumulative BRI engagement has crossed USD 1.3 trillion, encompassing energy, transport, digital networks, and industrial zones.
But 2025 stands out. After pandemic-related disruptions and a slower investment pace in 2021–2022, BRI funding rebounded strongly in 2023 and surged to new heights this year, driven by:
- Commodity supercycle dynamics (higher demand for critical minerals).
- Energy security imperatives amid global supply chain shocks.
- China’s policy push to globalize green technology supply chains.
H1 2025 alone exceeded full-year averages from earlier BRI phases, signaling an aggressive capital deployment strategy to secure long-term strategic advantage.
Breaking Down the Numbers: USD 123.3 Billion in Six Months
The USD 66.2 billion in construction contracts and USD 57.1 billion in BRI investments reflect both traditional infrastructure and new-age sectors. Together, they account for a year-on-year growth of 21%, according to data from China’s Ministry of Commerce and BRI research institutes.
Key takeaways from the financial breakdown:
- Energy sector share: Nearly 42% of total value, dominated by solar, wind, and hydro projects but with significant oil and gas investments in Africa.
- Mining and minerals: Surge in deals for lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements in Africa and Central Asia.
- Transportation: Over USD 18 billion allocated to rail modernization and port expansion projects.
- Digital Silk Road: Investment in fiber optic networks, 5G corridors, and data centers rose by 15% year-on-year.
Sectoral Deep Dive: Energy and Mining Take the Lead
Energy Investments: Powering the Green Transition
Clean energy headlines BRI’s current portfolio. Solar and wind projects in Pakistan, Kenya, and Kazakhstan received substantial funding, while hydropower initiatives in Laos and Tajikistan advanced under EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) contracts.
At the same time, oil and gas remain relevant. Despite global decarbonization goals, BRI-backed pipeline projects in Central Asia and LNG terminals in Mozambique underscore China’s pragmatic approach to balancing clean and conventional energy sources.
Mining Boom: The Critical Minerals Rush
The EV revolution has turned minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel into strategic assets. H1 2025 saw BRI mining deals spike in DR Congo, Zambia, and Guinea, while Central Asian countries like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan attracted investment for rare earths. These moves aim to secure inputs for China’s battery manufacturing and green tech exports, reinforcing its dominance in global EV supply chains.
Geographic Focus: Africa and Central Asia Dominate
Africa: The Rising Star of BRI Investment
Africa captured over USD 28 billion in combined BRI contracts and investments in H1 2025—its highest share ever. Notable deals include:
- Solar mega-parks in Kenya and Nigeria.
- Strategic port modernization in Djibouti.
- Cobalt and copper mining concessions in DR Congo and Zambia.
China’s presence is reshaping Africa’s infrastructure map, but not without scrutiny from global financial institutions concerned about debt sustainability and governance standards.
Central Asia: The Corridor of Energy and Connectivity
With geopolitics tilting westward after Eurasian tensions, Central Asia has emerged as BRI’s land bridge. Kazakhstan’s Almaty-Astana High-Speed Rail and Kyrgyzstan’s hydropower plants rank among the largest current projects. The region’s lithium and rare earth deposits make it a magnet for Chinese capital.
The Geopolitical Dimension: BRI as a Strategic Lever
BRI’s record-breaking H1 2025 comes amid intensifying U.S.-China competition, heightened sanctions regimes, and a global scramble for supply chain security. By doubling down on infrastructure diplomacy, Beijing is:
- Locking in long-term energy supply lines.
- Creating logistics alternatives to maritime chokepoints.
- Shaping digital governance norms through the Digital Silk Road.
For host countries, BRI offers infrastructure and financing they cannot access elsewhere. Moreover, for China, it offers geopolitical leverage and market access for its firms. For global companies, it means operating in an increasingly China-centric trade ecosystem.
Risks and Controversies: Debt, ESG, and Transparency
While BRI’s scale impresses, challenges persist:
- Debt risks: Countries like Zambia and Pakistan remain vulnerable to debt distress, even as China shifts toward more FDI and PPP models to reduce exposure.
- Environmental impact: NGOs warn about biodiversity loss from hydropower dams and mining projects.
- Governance and compliance: Western investors remain wary of opaque procurement processes in some BRI states.
Addressing these issues is critical for sustaining BRI’s credibility and attracting broader international participation.
Business and Procurement Implications
For multinational corporations and procurement leaders, BRI’s record spending is a double-edged sword: a world of opportunity but fraught with complexity.
- Supply chain integration: Companies involved in construction materials, energy technology, or logistics must align with Chinese EPC contractors who dominate BRI projects.
- Localization requirements: Many host countries now require local content integration—affecting sourcing decisions and cost structures.
- Digital transformation: With the rise of the Digital Silk Road, procurement functions must leverage AI, blockchain, and data analytics to ensure compliance and transparency.
Mattias Knutsson: Procurement Strategy in the BRI Era
Mattias Knutsson, a recognized global leader in procurement and business development, frames the challenge succinctly:
“BRI projects aren’t just contracts—they’re ecosystems. For procurement, success in this environment means understanding regulatory heterogeneity, mitigating ESG risks, and building digital-ready, multi-tiered supplier networks.”
He notes that strategic sourcing must move beyond price optimization toward risk-adjusted models that account for:
- Cross-border legal complexities.
- Geopolitical risk premiums.
- Sustainability mandates demanded by investors and governments alike.
Mattias adds:
“The future of procurement in BRI-linked economies will belong to firms that combine agility with governance—those that can deliver efficiency without compromising ethics and transparency.”
Conclusion:
H1 2025 marks a watershed for the Belt and Road Initiative: USD 123.3 billion in deals across energy, mining, transport, and digital infrastructure, driven by Africa and Central Asia’s strategic importance. This momentum underscores BRI’s evolution from a regional connectivity plan into a global geo-economic architecture shaping trade, BRI investments, and governance norms.
But opportunities come with responsibilities. Addressing debt risks, environmental concerns, and governance gaps will determine whether BRI becomes a platform for shared prosperity or a flashpoint for geopolitical friction.
For businesses, the message is clear: BRI is not a spectator sport. Firms must engage strategically—by aligning procurement practices with compliance, building resilient supplier ecosystems, and embracing digital integration. Those who adapt will thrive in a world where connectivity is currency, and infrastructure is influence.
