Five critical minerals shaping Africa’s energy transition by 2030

As the global push toward decarbonisation intensifies, demand for the minerals that enable renewable power, electric vehicles and energy storage is rising sharply.

According to the International Energy Agency, the World Bank, and the US Geological Survey, meeting global climate targets will require a dramatic expansion in the supply of several key metals, many of which Africa is well positioned to provide.

By 2030, the continent is expected to evolve from being viewed primarily as a source of raw materials to becoming a strategic supplier of minerals essential to the energy transition. Among the most important are graphite, copper, manganese, cobalt, and lithium, each playing a distinct role in the clean energy value chain.

Graphite Supporting Battery Growth

Graphite is a core component of lithium-ion batteries, forming the anode in nearly all commercial battery technologies. By volume, batteries require significantly more graphite than lithium, making it a critical but often underestimated mineral.

World Bank analysis shows that East and Southern Africa, including Mozambique, Tanzania and Madagascar, are emerging as important sources of natural graphite. As battery manufacturers seek to diversify supply and meet stronger environmental and social standards, Africa is increasingly well placed to expand graphite production and move closer to battery grade processing.

Copper Enabling Electrification

Copper underpins almost every aspect of the energy transition, from power grids and renewable energy installations to electric vehicles, charging networks and energy storage systems. The International Energy Agency consistently ranks copper among the most important metals needed to meet global climate goals.

Africa’s strategic copper assets are concentrated in the Central African Copperbelt, which spans the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia. The US Geological Survey already lists the DRC as one of the world’s leading copper producers, with further growth expected as mine expansions and new projects advance. As global supply tightens, Africa’s copper output will be central to enabling electrification at scale.

Manganese Gaining Importance in New Technologies

Manganese has long been essential to steelmaking, which underpins renewable infrastructure, but its role in battery technologies is growing rapidly. Manufacturers are increasingly exploring battery chemistries that rely more heavily on manganese to reduce costs and dependence on higher priced metals.

Southern Africa, particularly South Africa and Gabon, hosts some of the world’s largest and highest-grade manganese reserves. This gives the continent a strong advantage in both traditional industrial markets and emerging battery applications.

Cobalt Remaining Strategically Important

Cobalt plays a key role in improving battery stability, safety, and energy density. While manufacturers are working to reduce cobalt intensity, the International Energy Agency expects demand to remain strong through at least 2030.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo currently supplies more than half of global cobalt production, according to the US Geological Survey, placing Africa at the heart of the global battery supply chain. At the same time, cobalt production is closely linked to debates around responsible sourcing and traceability, which will shape Africa’s competitiveness in future energy markets.

Lithium An Emerging Growth Area

Lithium demand is expected to grow several times over by 2030 as electric vehicle adoption accelerates and energy storage expands. Although Africa is still a relatively small lithium producer, new hard rock discoveries are reshaping its role.

Countries such as Zimbabwe, Mali and Ghana are gaining attention as alternative lithium sources, based on World Bank assessments. With supportive policies and investment in downstream processing, Africa could become an increasingly important contributor to global lithium supply over the next decade.

From Potential to Delivery

Together, graphite, copper, manganese, cobalt, and lithium form the material foundation of electrification, electric mobility, and renewable energy systems. The International Energy Agency projects demand for these minerals to grow much faster than traditional bulk commodities over the coming decade.

By 2030, Africa’s role in the global energy transition will be defined less by geological potential and more by execution. If planned mining, processing and infrastructure projects advance as expected, the continent will be indispensable to global decarbonisation and firmly positioned within the future clean energy economy.