China-backed investment in Guinea's Simandou iron ore project has significantly bolstered the nation's economic standing, leading Standard & Poor's to upgrade its sovereign credit outlook to "positive" while affirming a B+ rating. The project, which commenced production in November, is tapping into one of the world's largest untapped iron ore reserves, enhancing export potential and strengthening government finances. By the end of 2025, foreign exchange reserves nearly tripled to $4.1 billion, and public revenues surged by 46 percent, largely due to increased mining receipts and improved tax administration. S&P projects real GDP growth to average nearly 10 percent between 2026 and 2029, driven by Simandou's expansion and infrastructure development, with potential for economic diversification.