Mining can become Africa’s most powerful engine of regional integration

Africa’s place in the global economy is being reshaped by converging forces that rarely align. The acceleration of the clean energy transition is driving sustained demand for copper, cobalt, lithium and other critical minerals, while geopolitical concerns about supply concentration are pushing buyers to diversify sourcing and invest in more resilient supply chains.

Because Africa holds a significant share of the world’s reserves of these materials, its mining sector carries a generational opportunity to deliver lasting economic impact. Much of this resource base continues to be developed through global partnerships, but the scale and strategic importance of these minerals allow African economies to shape how mining supports sustainable growth, capital formation and inclusive regional development.

Mining’s value extends far beyond extraction. It lies in the infrastructure, energy systems, institutions and economic linkages that form around mining ecosystems. When deployed at scale, mining can anchor cross-border corridors, integrate markets and stimulate growth across agriculture, manufacturing and logistics. In this sense, it is emerging as one of Africa’s most powerful levers for regional integration.