As governments and industries accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels, Africa is emerging as a central pillar of the global clean energy transition, supplying the minerals that underpin renewable power, electric vehicles and energy storage systems.
According to the State of African Energy 2026 Outlook published by the African Energy Chamber, the continent’s vast reserves of critical minerals — including cobalt, lithium, copper and platinum group metals — place it at the core of global supply chains that are becoming increasingly strategic for energy security and industrial competitiveness.
Demand for these minerals is rising at an unprecedented pace. Solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicle batteries and grid-scale storage systems require far higher volumes of cobalt, lithium and nickel than conventional energy technologies. Forecasts cited in the report suggest global demand for key clean energy minerals could increase as much as fivefold by 2035 compared with 2023 levels. Yet supply growth is struggling to keep pace, raising concerns about future shortages, price volatility and the resilience of existing supply chains.
Africa’s position in this landscape is increasingly difficult to ignore. In 2024, the continent led global production of cobalt, copper, gold and platinum group metals, while rapidly expanding lithium output. Countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mali, Namibia, South Africa and Morocco now sit at the forefront of global mineral production, drawing heightened attention from major economies seeking to secure long-term access.
China has historically been the largest foreign investor in Africa’s mining sector, using state-backed initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative to deepen its footprint. More recently, the United States and the European Union have stepped up engagement, prioritising strategic partnerships, infrastructure investment and cooperation agreements aimed at diversifying supply chains and supporting responsible mining practices.
Cobalt remains one of the most strategically important materials in the energy transition, forming a critical component of lithium-ion batteries. The DRC dominated global cobalt supply in 2024, with major operations such as Kisanfu, Tenke Fungurume and Kamoto collectively accounting for more than half of worldwide output. The country is now seeking to capture more value domestically by expanding refining capacity, converting cobalt hydroxide into higher-value cobalt metal, while tightening standards around traceability, environmental performance and ethical production.
Temporary cobalt export bans introduced in 2025 helped stabilise global prices, and policymakers are now considering more flexible export quotas to balance market stability with long-term producer profitability.
Africa’s lithium sector is also gaining momentum. The continent produced more than 124,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent in 2024, largely from hard rock spodumene deposits. Zimbabwe currently leads production, while Mali, Namibia, South Africa, Ghana and the DRC continue to scale up output. Africa holds an estimated 26.7 million tonnes of identified lithium resources, around 5 per cent of the global total.
Crucially, production costs in Africa — estimated at between $250 and $650 per tonne of spodumene concentrate — remain well below the global benchmark of roughly $800 per tonne in Australia. Several governments are increasing state participation in lithium projects, with countries such as Mali, Ghana and Zimbabwe mandating national equity stakes to retain economic value and strategic control.
Securing African mineral supply chains has become a global priority. The United States, through the Development Finance Corporation and the Minerals Security Partnership, has committed more than $200m to African mining projects, focusing on infrastructure, responsible sourcing and downstream battery manufacturing in collaboration with the DRC and Zambia. Large-scale infrastructure projects, including the Lobito Corridor rail link connecting Zambia and Angola, are designed to improve export routes and integrate African mining hubs more effectively into global markets.
Backed by a $553m DFC loan and European Union support, the corridor highlights how transport and logistics investment is increasingly seen as essential to unlocking Africa’s mineral potential.
“Africa’s mineral wealth is not just a resource; it is a strategic asset for the global energy transition,” said NJ Ayuk, executive chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “By fostering local beneficiation, ethical production, and sustainable supply chains, Africa can drive industrialisation, create jobs, and secure its position at the heart of the clean energy economy.”
With exploration activity accelerating, refining capacity expanding and geopolitical interest intensifying, Africa’s role in the clean energy transition is set to grow. How effectively the continent balances investment, sustainability and value creation will shape not only its own development trajectory, but also the pace and resilience of the global transition to a decarbonised energy system.