Africa’s mining sector is reinforcing its role as a major source of employment, fuelled by rising global demand for critical minerals and the continent’s vast resource base.
According to the Compendium of Africa’s Strategic Minerals 2026, released by the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Africa holds an estimated $29.5 trillion in mineral wealth, roughly 20% of global reserves, with $8.6 trillion yet to be developed. The report points to a significant opportunity for African economies to accelerate industrialisation and job creation through value addition in downstream industries such as aluminium, fertilisers, battery materials and alloys.
Expanding production drives employment
As African nations advance new greenfield projects and restart or expand brownfield operations, mining’s contribution to employment is expected to rise further.
In Namibia, the resumption of uranium production in 2025 and 2026 is supporting renewed sector growth. Speaking in Cape Town, Deputy Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Gaudentia Krohne reported that the country’s mining industry directly employed 20,843 people at the end of 2024. With diversification underway into rare earths, copper, lithium and other critical minerals, alongside the finalisation of a new minerals bill, Namibia is positioning itself to attract fresh capital and broaden workforce participation.
“Namibia is committed to supporting small-scale miners and improving livelihoods. We are focusing on finance support schemes and training support programs to equip our workforce with emerging skills,” stated Krohne.
In South Africa, the government has outlined plans to mobilise R2 trillion over the next five years to strengthen its critical minerals value chain. The strategy covers exploration, project development, manufacturing and skills training, reinforcing the sector’s role in employment and export growth. The announcement follows stable mining employment levels in 2025, with around 468,000 formal workers recorded mid-year.
In Zambia, mining remains a key employer, supporting more than 73,000 jobs in 2025. Planned expansion through greenfield and brownfield copper projects is expected to increase the sector’s employment footprint. For instance, US start-up KoBold Metals’ $300 million development of the Mingomba Mine is projected to create over 700 jobs. Vedanta Resources is also investing $1.5 billion at Konkola Copper Mines, while First Quantum Minerals has announced a $1.25 billion investment in the Kansanshi S3 Expansion project, generating substantial new employment opportunities.
Investment translating into jobs
The link between capital investment and job creation is highlighted by AFC’s track record. At African Mining Week 2025, Molebogeng Mazibuko, AFC’s Associate Vice President of Investment, stressed the importance of strengthening partnerships between African investors and global financiers to unlock funding and accelerate employment growth. To date, AFC’s $700 million in mining investments has created more than 15,000 jobs, with up to 70% of funding directed toward critical minerals.
Global demand boosts employment outlook
Intensifying competition among the United States, Europe and China to secure African critical minerals is opening up further job opportunities across the continent. A December 2025 agreement between the US and the Democratic Republic of Congo on mineral extraction, value addition and trade is expected to support job growth in the country’s mining sector.
Already a major employer, the DRC’s mining industry supports more than 100,000 jobs, according to Minister of Mines Louis Watum Kabamba at African Mining Week 2025. With just 10% of the nation’s estimated $24 trillion in mineral reserves currently exploited, and strengthened partnerships with both the US and China, the potential for mining-led employment growth remains significant.
Addressing the investment gap
Despite the sector’s growing role in employment creation, limited access to capital continues to constrain development, particularly for local operators and small-scale miners seeking to scale projects. Financing gaps can delay timelines and restrict job expansion.
Against this backdrop, African Mining Week 2026, scheduled for 14–16 October in Cape Town, aims to connect global investors with bankable opportunities across the continent. By catalysing partnerships and facilitating deal-making, the event is expected to help convert capital inflows into project execution, industrial development and sustained employment growth across Africa’s mining sector.
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