Angola was the Portuguese-speaking African country attracting the most Chinese investment projects between 1998 and 2012, says a new study.

The study, by U.S.-based think tank the Brookings Institution, shows 80 Chinese companies invested in 189 projects in Angola between 1998 and 2012, Portuguese news agency Lusa reported.

Mozambique attracted 94 projects from 41 Chinese companies. Cape Verde had two Chinese firms investing in the country during the same period while Sao Tome and Principe completed the list with investment from one Chinese company.

The research covered investment projects that were registered with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. It found that more than 2,000 Chinese firms invested in about 4,000 projects in 49 African nations from 1998 to 2012.

The services sector was the most common area for Chinese investments in Africa, but there were also significant investments in manufacturing, the Lusa report said.

Angola ranked eighth overall in Africa in attracting Chinese investment, while Mozambique was placed in 14th position.