U$8.6 Trillion Of Africa’s Minerals Still Untapped

Africa’s Mineral reserves worth U$8.6trillion still remain untouched according to a report by Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).

The AFC Compendium of Africa’s Strategic Minerals 2026 report released last week, the rising global demand for critical minerals will keep Africa’s mining sector as a key contributor of employment creation.

“Africa holds an estimated U$29.5 trillion in mineral wealth – about 20% of global reserves – with U$8.6 trillion still untapped,” the report revealed.

The study highlights a clear opportunity for the continent to accelerate industrialization and job creation by focusing on value addition across downstream industries, including aluminium, fertilizers, battery materials and alloys.

The global scramble by the U.S., Europe, and China to secure African minerals presents significant employment opportunities across the continent.

A December 2025 agreement between the U.S. and the DRC on mineral extraction, value addition, and trade is expected to boost job creation in the country’s mining sector.

Already a major employer, the DRC’s mining industry supports over 100,000 jobs, according to Minister of Mines Louis Watum Kabamba at AMW 2025.

With just 10% of the nation’s estimated U$24 trillion in mineral reserves currently exploited, and strengthened partnerships with the U.S. and China, the potential for mining-led employment growth remains substantial.

Addressing Investment Gaps

Despite mining’s growing role in job creation, access to capital remains a constraint, particularly for local operators and small-scale miners seeking to scale projects.

Limited financing slows development timelines and restricts employment expansion.

Against this backdrop, AMW 2026, scheduled for October 14–16 in Cape Town, aims to connect global investors with bankable opportunities across the continent.

By catalyzing partnerships and facilitating deal-making, the event seeks to translate capital inflows into project execution, industrial growth and sustained employment creation across Africa’s mining sector.