African Mining Revolution: Why Are Eyes Turning to Lithium and Copper?
Huge reserves and rapid investments propel it to the forefront of the metals race
Written by: Mohammed Omran
Gold or diamonds are no longer the only symbols mineral wealth In Africa, as the global shift towards clean energy and electric vehicles accelerates, minerals such as lithium and copper have emerged as the cornerstone of a low-carbon economy, turning the continent into a hub of increasing international competition thanks to its vast reserves of critical minerals.
African Mining Revolution: Why Are Eyes Turning to Lithium and Copper?
The United Nations estimates that Africa holds approximately 301 TP3T of the world's reserves of critical minerals, including lithium, copper, cobalt, manganese, and graphite—minerals used in the manufacture of batteries, electric vehicles, power grids, wind turbines, and solar energy technologies. Experts believe these resources present the continent with a historic opportunity to boost local manufacturing, create jobs, and increase added value, rather than simply exporting raw materials.
Why have lithium and copper become central to the global economy?
Lithium is the primary element in batteries for smartphones, laptops, electric cars, and energy storage systems, while copper is a key component in power grids, transformers, cables, and renewable energy plants, due to its high electrical conductivity.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) confirms that the global shift towards clean energy will lead to significant growth in demand for these metals over the coming decades, with the expansion of electric vehicle production and renewable energy projects around the world.
Manufacturing electric cars requires two to four times more copper than conventional cars, and lithium-ion batteries rely on lithium as a key component, making both metals central to the global industrial transformation.
Africa is a storehouse of strategic minerals.
The African continent has a great diversity of mineral resources, and lithium and copper reserves are concentrated in a number of countries that have become a major destination for global investments.
The Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia stand out as some of the world's most important copper production centers, while Zimbabwe has become one of the leading African producers of lithium ore, with new discoveries and projects in Namibia, Mali and Ghana.
Countries such as South Africa, Madagascar and Tanzania also possess reserves of minerals used in modern technology industries, which enhances the continent's position in global supply chains.
Democratic Republic of Congo, the heart of the copper and cobalt industry
The Democratic Republic of Congo occupies a pivotal position in the African mining sector, as it includes part of the Central African Copperbelt, which stretches between southern Congo and northern Zambia and is one of the richest mineral regions in the world.
The Democratic Republic of Congo produces more than 70% of the world’s cobalt and is also one of the largest producers of copper, making it a key player in battery supply chains and the electric vehicle industry.
Recent years have witnessed an expansion in investments by international mining companies within the country, with the aim of increasing production and developing mines and their associated infrastructure, especially with expectations of continued high global demand for these minerals.
Zambia: Copper is the backbone of the national economy
Zambia is the second largest copper producer in Africa after the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the mining sector is one of the country's most important sources of income and exports.
The Zambian government aims to increase copper production to 3 million tons per year over the next decade, compared to production approaching 1 million tons in recent years, by attracting new investments, developing existing mines, and improving electricity supply and infrastructure.
The African Development Bank believes that developing the copper sector in Zambia can boost economic growth, provide jobs, and increase the industrial sector's contribution to GDP.
Zimbabwe: Rapid rise in lithium production
In recent years, Zimbabwe has become one of the most important lithium investment destinations in Africa, following the discovery of large reserves and the entry of international companies to develop mines, including prominent projects such as the Bikita mine and the Arcadia mine, which are among the most prominent lithium projects on the continent.
The Zimbabwean government has also taken steps to limit exports of unprocessed lithium ore, in an effort to encourage investment in local processing and manufacturing and increase added value.
Namibia, Mali, and Ghana: New players in the lithium market
Besides Zimbabwe, other African countries are also expanding their lithium exploration projects, particularly Namibia, Mali and Ghana, as these countries seek to attract global mining companies to capitalize on the growing demand for the metal, focusing on developing local value chains rather than simply exporting the raw material.
Investments are flowing into the African mining sector.
The rising global demand for strategic minerals has led to increased foreign investment in the African mining sector, with global companies announcing expansions in copper and lithium projects, along with investments in infrastructure, such as roads, railways and ports, to facilitate the transport of raw materials to global markets.
Reports from the African Development Bank indicate that infrastructure development is a crucial element in enhancing the competitiveness of the African mining sector and reducing production and transportation costs.
The green shift is changing the mining landscape.
Global interest in strategic minerals is no longer solely linked to traditional industry, but has become part of plans to transition to a green economy, which relies on renewable energy, electric vehicles, and electricity storage technologies.
The International Energy Agency confirms that demand for metals used in clean energy technologies is experiencing unprecedented growth, with demand for lithium more than tripling between 2017 and 2023, while demand for nickel and cobalt has doubled, and copper continues to record steady growth as an indispensable element in electricity grids and energy infrastructure.
The agency notes that an electric car needs an average of about 83 kilograms of copper, compared to only about 22 kilograms for a conventional car, which explains the significant increase in demand for the metal as the electric car market expands globally.
China: The biggest player in African mining
China is the largest foreign investor in a number of mining projects in Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Over the past two decades, Chinese companies have invested billions of dollars in developing mines, building mineral processing plants and financing railway, road and port projects related to the mining sector.
In Zimbabwe, Chinese companies have acquired stakes in several of the largest lithium mines, including the Arcadia and Bikita mines, as part of a strategy to secure China’s needs for raw materials for battery manufacturing.
Chinese companies also have a strong presence in the copper belt between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, where they operate some of the largest mines in the region.
The United States and Europe enter the competition
In contrast, the United States and the European Union have intensified their efforts to strengthen cooperation with African countries that produce strategic minerals, in an attempt to diversify supply sources and reduce reliance on traditional supply chains.
The United States, in cooperation with international partners, launched initiatives to support the development of the Lobito Corridor, which connects copper and cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia to the port of Lobito in Angola on the Atlantic Ocean. The project aims to reduce the time it takes to transport minerals to global markets, lower shipping costs, and boost regional trade.
In recent years, the European Union has also announced a number of partnership agreements with African countries to develop value chains for critical minerals and to encourage investment in sustainable mining.
Lobito Corridor: A new artery for exporting African minerals
The Lobito Corridor has become one of the most important mining-related infrastructure projects in Africa. The project relies on the development of the Benguela railway line, which extends for nearly 1,300 kilometers within Angola, and its connection to mining areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia.
The African Development Bank estimates that the corridor will significantly reduce mineral transport time and open a new outlet for African exports to the Atlantic Ocean, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of the mining sector.
The project is not limited to transportation only, but also includes the establishment of logistics zones, the development of ports, and the improvement of road networks, making it one of the largest economic corridors on the continent.
Mining is no longer just about extraction.
United Nations reports indicate that the true economic value of minerals is not realized when they are extracted, but rather through their processing and manufacturing. While manufacturing countries make large profits from the production of batteries and industrial components, most African countries remain dependent on exporting raw materials, which deprives them of a large part of the added value.
This is why governments such as Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Namibia have begun taking measures to encourage the establishment of local mineral processing plants and to limit the export of raw materials without processing.
Mining revitalizes the continent's economies
The mining sector plays a pivotal role in the economies of many African countries. In Zambia, copper is the main source of export revenue, while the economy of the Democratic Republic of Congo is heavily dependent on exports of copper and cobalt.
In Zimbabwe, lithium has become one of the fastest growing sectors, with new investments flowing in and production operations expanding.
The United Nations estimates that critical minerals could represent a historic opportunity for Africa to achieve significant economic returns if it succeeds in developing local value chains, rather than simply exporting raw materials.
Infrastructure: The most important element in the success of mining
Despite Africa possessing huge mineral reserves, weak infrastructure remains one of the biggest challenges facing the sector, as many mines are located in inland areas far from ports, making transportation costs high.
Therefore, railway, port and road projects have become an essential part of mining development plans, as governments seek to connect production areas to ports and reduce the time it takes to transport exports to global markets.
The World Bank believes that improving transport infrastructure can reduce the cost of trade within Africa and increase the attractiveness of investment in the mining sector.
Value Added: The Biggest Challenge Facing the Continent
Despite Africa possessing huge reserves of lithium, copper and critical minerals, most of these resources leave the continent as raw materials, while batteries, electronic components and electric cars are manufactured in other countries that generate the lion's share of the economic returns.
The United Nations and the African Development Bank believe that the future of African mining will depend not only on increased production, but also on the ability of African countries to establish processing industries, including mineral processing and refining, then manufacturing battery components, and finally industries related to clean energy.
UNCTAD reports confirm that increasing the added value of minerals within Africa can create thousands of jobs, increase the industrial sector’s contribution to GDP, and reduce the dependence of African economies on exporting raw materials only.
From raw material to battery
Some African countries have already begun taking steps to boost local manufacturing. In Zimbabwe, the government has imposed restrictions on the export of unprocessed lithium ore, with the aim of encouraging investors to set up processing plants within the country.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the government, in collaboration with Zambia, announced plans to create a regional value chain for the production of electric vehicle batteries, taking advantage of the region's copper, cobalt and lithium reserves. Namibia is also working to attract investment in mineral refining and the establishment of renewable energy-related industries.
Mining faces complex challenges
Despite the great opportunities, the African mining sector still faces multiple challenges, the most prominent of which are weak transport and energy infrastructure, lack of financing, volatility in global metal prices, in addition to the need to develop legislation regulating investment.
The sector also faces environmental challenges related to the management of mining waste, water consumption, and the preservation of biodiversity, especially with the expansion of mineral extraction operations used in modern industries.
International institutions, including the World Bank and the United Nations Environment Programme, stress the importance of applying sustainable mining standards to achieve a balance between economic development and environmental protection. In a number of African countries, a proportion of mineral extraction operations are still carried out through artisanal or informal mining.
Although this activity provides a source of income for millions of people, it poses challenges related to working conditions and occupational safety, difficulty of oversight, and loss of some tax revenue. Several African governments are seeking to integrate this sector into the formal economy by granting licenses, providing training, and improving oversight, thereby increasing productivity and enhancing worker safety.
The African Continental Free Trade Area: An opportunity to boost industry
International indicators reflect the size of the opportunity that the continent has in the strategic minerals sector, as Africa possesses about 30% of the world’s reserves of critical minerals, according to estimates by the United Nations University, and the Democratic Republic of Congo holds more than 70% of global cobalt production, and is one of the largest producers of copper.
Zambia aims to increase its copper production to 3 million tons per year in the coming years, and Zimbabwe has become one of the fastest-growing lithium-producing countries in Africa, with billions of dollars invested in mines.
The future... a historic opportunity for Africa
The International Energy Agency expects global demand for lithium and copper to continue growing over the coming decades, driven by the expansion of electric vehicles and renewable energy.
Economic and energy experts agree that global demand for strategic minerals will remain high over the coming decades, giving Africa an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen its position in the global economy. However, taking advantage of this opportunity will not depend on the size of reserves alone, but rather on the ability of African countries to develop infrastructure, improve the investment environment, expand manufacturing industries, and enhance transparency in the management of natural resources.
The African Development Bank believes that investment in railways, ports and energy will be a crucial factor in reducing production costs, connecting mines to global markets and increasing the competitiveness of the sector.
Africa stands today at a pivotal moment in the history of the mining sector, as lithium and copper are no longer just minerals extracted from the earth, but have become essential elements in the global shift towards a green economy and clean energy. With international competition intensifying to secure supplies of critical minerals, the continent has an opportunity to redefine its role in the global economy, not only as a source of raw materials, but also as a partner in manufacturing, innovation and global value chains.
The success of this phase remains contingent on the ability of African countries to transform their natural resources into sustainable development, through investment in local manufacturing, infrastructure development, and building partnerships that add value to African economies, thus ensuring that the mining revolution becomes a real engine for growth and prosperity on the continent.
