Africa emerges as a key supplier of raw materials

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Published Nov 3, 2025

Africa's diverse mineral resources have seen the continent emerge as a central supplier of key raw materials such as cobalt, lithium, graphite, and rare earth elements.

Rare earth elements are key components used in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and advanced electronics.

However, the economic benefits are yet to be fully realised in most of these resource-rich nations.

Over the past few years, a growing number of governments on the continent have implemented restrictions on the export of unprocessed minerals in an effort to encourage local value addition and downstream investment.

Zimbabwe banned the export of raw lithium in 2022 and has already recorded significant Chinese-backed investment in local processing facilities.