Top 10 African Countries With Heavy Reliance Minerals Resource Exports
According to a Policy Center report published by Professor Landry Signé, out of Africa’s 54 nations, 42 are categorized as resource-dependent.
Out of this number, 18 rely on non-fuel minerals, 10 on energy or fuel exports and the remainder on agricultural exports.
There is however a drawback as heavy reliance on mineral rents has made these economies susceptible to external shocks, often leading to economic disruptions and stunted development.
AosAfrican countries dominate seven spots in the global top 10 rankings for reliance on mineral exports
Also, an AfDB report further highlights that while Africa is endowed with abundant natural resources, this wealth has not consistently translated into sustainable economic growth.
Factors such as resource mismanagement, market volatility, and inadequate industrial diversification have hindered long-term economic benefits from these assets.
According to Visual Capitalist, key mineral exports like diamonds, gold, and copper are central to the economies of many resource-dependent African countries.
Using data sourced from The Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), an analysis based on 2019–2021 averages highlights countries where mining exports—including minerals, ores, and metals—constitute over 50% of total exports.
The table below shows African countries that rely heavily on mineral exports;
S/N Country %Exports Mineral
1 Botswana 92% Diamonds
2 Guinea 87% Gold
3 Mali 85% Gold
4 Burkina Faso 84% Gold
5 Zambia 79% Copper
6 DR Congo 77% Copper
7 Mauritania 66% Gold
8 Namibia 61% Diamonds
9 Sierra Leone 57% Iron Ore
10 Zimbabwe 56% Gold
This heavy reliance underscores the crucial role mining plays in these economies.