African Countries in Global Top 5 Annual Mineral Production – by Critical Mineral

This infographic showcases Africa’s vital role in the global production of critical minerals and metals that power clean energy technologies, digital infrastructure, and industrial growth.

From the DRC’s dominance in cobalt and copper to South Africa’s leadership in manganese, platinum group metals, and chromium, African countries are indispensable to the security and resilience of global supply chains.

Key highlights:

• The DRC produces over 70% of the world’s cobalt, essential for batteries and EVs.
• South Africa is the #1 global producer of manganese, contributing over 30% of supply—critical for steelmaking and next-generation batteries.
• Morocco leads in phosphate rock, central to agriculture and future energy storage.
• Guinea is among the world’s top three bauxite producers, a key source of aluminium.
• Mozambique and Madagascar rank among the top three global producers of natural graphite, used in lithium-ion batteries.

Africa’s position as a top global producer of these materials highlights the continent’s growing influence—and strategic leverage—in shaping the future of energy, manufacturing, and technology.

Disclaimer:

The definition of a “critical mineral” varies by jurisdiction. In this infographic, criticality refers to minerals deemed essential to economic, industrial, or national security with potential supply risks. The Critical Minerals Africa Group (CMAG) includes both internationally recognised critical minerals and those considered critical based on African priorities and development contexts.