Mining & MINERALS

Africa’s mining and minerals sector is central to the continent’s economic transformation, home to resources essential to global industries from infrastructure to clean energy technology. We believe the path to lasting prosperity lies in moving from raw material exporter to value-driven industrial leader.

Past

For decades, Africa’s mining sector has been defined by the export of raw materials with limited local processing. While resource wealth has contributed to global supply chains, much of the value creation has occurred outside the continent.

This model constrained opportunities for industrial growth, job creation, and broader economic diversification.

Present

Today, Africa’s mining sector is undergoing a strategic transition. Governments, industry leaders, and regional partners are prioritizing local beneficiation, infrastructure development, and integrated supply chains.

Investments in processing capacity, transport corridors, and energy systems are beginning to strengthen the link between resource extraction and economic development, positioning mining as a driver of regional growth.

Future

Looking ahead, Africa is poised to play a defining role in global industries powered by critical minerals. With increasing demand tied to energy transition and advanced technologies, the continent has an opportunity to lead not only in supply, but in value creation and innovation.

By aligning policy, investment, and human capital, Africa can transform its mineral wealth into a foundation for long-term prosperity and global competitiveness.

A Global Leader in Select Critical and Strategic Minerals

With significant reserves and production of resources essential to global industry, Africa has already demonstrated leadership in select critical and strategic minerals, including cobalt, platinum, manganese, and copper. For some of these
minerals, especially cobalt, the DRC is the
dominant global supplier.

ABOUT 75%

of the world’s mined cobalt comes from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

About 70%

of the world’s mined platinum
comes from South Africa.

About 37 to 38%

of the world’s manganese mine
production comes from South Africa.

Challenges Facing African Mining

Africa’s mining sector faces a range of challenges that limit its ability to capture the full value of its resources. Key obstacles include inadequate infrastructure, limited local processing capacity, and gaps in governance and transparency.

INFRASTRUCTURE GAPS

Inadequate transport corridors, unreliable power systems, and limited logistics networks make it difficult to move minerals from extraction sites to global markets.

LIMITED LOCAL PROCESSING

Much of Africa’s mineral wealth continues to be exported in raw form, leaving the economic returns of refining and processing to be captured elsewhere.

GOVERNANCE AND TRANSPARENCY

Inconsistent regulatory frameworks and limited transparency can undermine investor confidence and slow the pace of sustainable, community-centered development.

Opportunities for Growth and Innovation

Africa’s mining future is full of promise. By moving up the value chain, strengthening partnerships, and investing in infrastructure and people, the continent can turn resource wealth into lasting industrial and economic growth.

Latest Articles

General

Africa Powers the Green Economy. How Does It Benefit From It?

An imbalance sits at the heart of the global green energy transition. There is a good chance that the cobalt, manganese, and graphite in your EV battery came from African soil. And yet the continent contributing so much to a decarbonised world is receiving relatively little help dealing with the consequences of a warming one. Understanding this gap is one of the most important conversations in global climate policy today.

24/06/2026

General

The Cobalt Corridor: Why the DRC Must Turn Mineral Power Into African Industrial Power

The Democratic Republic of the Congo powers the global cobalt economy, yet too little of that mineral wealth is being converted into electricity, industry, jobs, and long-term prosperity at home. The real challenge is no longer extraction alone. It is how to retain more value on African soil and how to turn that value into African industrial power.

13/04/2026

General

Africa’s Critical Minerals Are Powering a More Confident African Future

From Congo’s cobalt and Zambia’s copper to Tanzania’s nickel and graphite, Uganda’s processing push, Rwanda’s refining strength, Kenya’s policy positioning, and Burundi’s growing place in the East African nickel belt, a more ambitious African minerals story is taking shape.

31/03/2026