Africa hosts an estimated US$29.5 trillion in mine-site mineral value, representing about 20% of global mineral wealth, yet captures only a fraction of the economic value embedded in this endowment, according to a new study released today by Africa Finance Corporation (AFC). Of this total, US$8.6 trillion remains undeveloped, reflecting an under-explored continent where fragmented …
VIDEO:Compendium of Africa’s strategic minerals 2026
Africa hosts an estimated US$29.5 trillion in mine-site mineral value, representing about 20% of global mineral wealth, yet captures only a fraction of the economic value embedded in this endowment, according to a new study released today by Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).
Of this total, US$8.6 trillion remains undeveloped, reflecting an under-explored continent where fragmented geological data, uneven coverage, and limited transparency continue to elevate risk perception and constrain investment.
The report argues that improving geological data availability and quality is a necessary first step to de-risk projects and unlock exploration capital.
The study also stresses that mine-site values significantly understate Africa’s true potential by failing to capture the far larger value created when minerals are processed into steel, aluminium, fertilisers, batteries and alloys. Measured at the point of industrial use, Africa’s mineral endowment expands by an order of magnitude—revealing substantial latent value.
Launched at Mining Indaba in Cape Town, the Compendium of Africa’s Strategic Minerals reframes the sector through an African development lens, placing industrialisation, infrastructure, and long-term regional demand at the centre of mineral strategy.
click below for the map:
Minerals Map 2026_Updated (1) by Fred Dzakpata
