Africa’s mining sector maintains its role as a major contributor to job creation, supported by growing global demand for critical minerals. The continent has an estimated $29.5 trillion in mineral resources, or about 20% of the world’s reserves, with $8.6 trillion still untapped, according to the Africa Strategic Minerals Directory 2026, released by the African Finance Corporation (AFC) last week. The study highlights clear opportunities for the continent to accelerate industrialization and job creation by focusing on value added across downstream industries such as aluminium, fertilizers, battery materials and alloys.
Expanding production and employment
As African countries move forward with greenfield development and expand or restart brownfield operations, the contribution of mining to employment is expected to strengthen.
Namibia will restart uranium production in 2025 and 2026, supporting new growth in the sector. Speaking in Cape Town, Gaudentia Krone, Deputy Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy, reported that the country’s mining industry will directly employ 20,843 people at the end of 2024. In parallel with the finalization of the new Minerals Bill, diversification into rare earths, copper, lithium and other critical minerals is underway, positioning Namibia to attract new capital and increase labor participation.
“Namibia is committed to supporting small-scale miners and improving their livelihoods. We are focusing on financial assistance schemes and training support programs to equip workers with new skills,” said Krone.
The South African government has outlined plans to mobilize R2 trillion over the next five years to strengthen key mineral value chains. The strategy spans exploration, project development, manufacturing and skills training and strengthens the sector’s role in employment and export growth.
The announcement comes as mining employment levels remained stable in 2025, with around 468,000 full-time workers recorded at mid-year.
Mining remains a key driver of employment in Zambia, supporting more than 73,000 jobs in 2025. Planned expansion through greenfield and brownfield copper projects will further increase the sector’s contribution to national employment. For example, US startup KoBold Metals is investing $300 million to develop the Mingomba mine, which is expected to create more than 700 jobs. Vedanta Resources is also investing $1.5 billion in Konkola Copper Mines, and First Quantum Minerals announced a $1.25 billion investment in the Kansanshi S3 expansion project, creating significant new job opportunities.
convert capital into employment
The link between capital investment and job creation is clearly demonstrated by the AFC. Speaking at Africa Mining Week (AMW) 2025, AFC’s Associate Vice President for Investments, Molebogen Mazibuko, emphasized the importance of deepening partnerships between African investors and global financiers to attract new capital and accelerate job growth. To date, AFC’s $700 million mining investment has created more than 15,000 jobs, with up to 70% of funding directed toward critical minerals.
Demand and employment outlook for key minerals around the world
The global scramble by the US, Europe and China to secure Africa’s minerals is creating huge job opportunities across the continent. A December 2025 agreement between the United States and the Democratic Republic of Congo on mineral extraction, value addition, and trade is expected to boost job creation in the country’s mining sector. The mining industry in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is already a major employer, supporting more than 100,000 jobs, according to Minister of Mines Louis Watum Kabamba at AMW 2025. Currently, only 10% of the country’s estimated $24 trillion mineral reserves have been developed, and the potential for mining-led job growth remains significant through increased collaboration with the United States and China.
Addressing the investment gap
Despite the growing role of mining in job creation, access to capital remains a constraint, especially for local operators and small-scale miners looking to scale up their projects. Limited funding delays development schedules and limits job growth.
Against this backdrop, AMW 2026, scheduled to take place in Cape Town from 14 to 16 October, aims to connect global investors with lucrative opportunities across the continent. By fostering partnerships and facilitating deal-making, the event aims to channel capital inflows into project execution, industry growth and sustainable job creation across Africa’s mining sector.
