Ecuador president says foreign investment reached decade high in first half of 2026

Quito: President Daniel Noboa announced Friday that foreign investment in Ecuador surged to one of its highest levels in ten years during the first six months of 2026.

Noboa said in an interview with Radio Fiesta in Machala that he expected investment to increase further in the second half, particularly in the oil and mining sectors. He added that companies are also showing interest in food, logistics, port operations and power generation.

Noboa attributed the investment interest to what he called opportunities and government stability in Ecuador.

He also defended the country's fuel-pricing system, saying a pricing band introduced two years ago had helped keep fuel prices competitive despite fluctuations in international oil markets.

He warned that fuel smuggling remained a concern and called for stronger border controls.

The Central Bank of Ecuador this week raised its 2026 economic growth forecast to 2.7 percent from 2.5 percent, citing household consumption, investment and exports as the main drivers.

The bank also estimated that a moderate El Nino could reduce 2027 growth by 0.5 percentage points, while a strong event could cut it by 1.4 percentage points.