As the world accelerates toward a greener, low-carbon future, Africa is emerging as a critical player in the global energy transition. Beyond its traditional role as a raw material supplier, the continent is now strategically positioned at the heart of the green revolution, thanks to its vast reserves of minerals essential for the production of electric vehicle (EV) batteries and solar panels.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey and Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025, Africa holds substantial proven reserves of key minerals:
- Copper (26% of global reserves, approximately 980 million metric tonnes)
- Cobalt (55% of global reserves, around 11 million metric tonnes)
- Bauxite (10% of global reserves, an impressive 29 billion metric tonnes)
- Graphite (37% of global reserves, about 290 million metric tonnes)
- Manganese (24% of global reserves, around 1.7 billion metric tonnes)
Many of these minerals, particularly cobalt, graphite, and manganese, are critical for both EV batteries and solar panels — the very technologies underpinning the clean energy transformation. Furthermore, Africa is rich in nickel and lithium, two other essential minerals increasingly in demand for energy storage and electric mobility solutions.
Key resource-rich nations include Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Guinea, South Africa, Madagascar, Zambia, Gabon, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Mozambique, and Botswana. For example, Tanzania’s Kabanga Project is recognised as hosting one of the world’s largest and highest-grade nickel sulphide deposits, underscoring Africa’s immense potential to meet the surging global demand for battery-grade minerals.
Geopolitical shifts, most notably the escalating U.S.–China trade tensions, have heightened global competition for critical minerals, driving companies to pursue direct access to strategic African mineral sources. As highlighted above, the continent holds a commanding share of the world’s reserves of essential materials such as cobalt, lithium, and copper. A recent example of this trend is U.S.-based Kobold Metals’ preliminary agreement to acquire AVZ Minerals’ stake in the DRC’s Manono lithium deposit. Backed by top U.S. investors and political support, the deal underscores a growing Western push to secure reliable, China-independent supply chains for the energy transition.
With continued exploration across the continent, mineral estimates are expected to rise even further, strengthening Africa’s role as a cornerstone of the global green economy. These developments create unique opportunities for African economies to not only supply critical materials but also to build domestic value chains, support industrial growth, and drive sustainable development.
Africa’s mineral wealth is no longer just a promise — it is a foundational pillar in achieving a cleaner, more sustainable world.
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