AFRICA ’ S MINERALS KEY TO GLOBAL TRANSITION TO CLEANER ENERGY AND FAR MORE
Supplied by Investing in African Mining Indaba 2025
Supplied Investing in African Mining Indaba 2025
Africa must chart its own course in the global mineral landscape .
The world recognises Africa ' s mineral reserves as critical for the global transition to cleaner energy . However , this narrative , focused on the needs of industrialised nations , overlooks a fundamental truth : Africa ' s minerals hold a far greater significance for the continent itself .
Africa stands at the precipice of a new era , where its vast mineral wealth can redefine its global standing . The continent is home to sizeable reserves of what the world currently defines as critical minerals 1 : 55 % of cobalt , 47.65 % of manganese , 21.6 % of natural graphite , 5.9 % of copper , 5.6 % of nickel , 1 % of lithium and 0.6 % of iron ore .
While the prevailing global discourse on critical minerals centres on the continent ’ s role in facilitating a just energy transition , primarily for developed western nations , Africa needs to redefine " critical minerals ” with its own development front and centre .
Whether these are minerals to help meet the continent ’ s energy needs , or minerals needed for fertilizer to ensure food security , why and for who these minerals are deemed “ critical ” are the real questions to be answered .
Africa ' s mineral potential Despite contributing less than 5 % to global greenhouse gas emissions 2 , Africa remains disproportionately vulnerable to climate change impacts and faces significant energy poverty .
Therefore , with the global shift toward sustainable energy intensifying , and the demand for “ critical ” minerals expected to sky rocket 3 , Africa can and should leverage its mineral wealth for its own development .
But to fully capitalise on its mineral resources , Africa ' s mining sector must overcome infrastructural deficiencies , economic inequalities and
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