As the global economy accelerates towards a green transition driven by artificial intelligence, data centers and defense technology, Africa’s long-undervalued mining sector is emerging as a strategic focus in the race for critical minerals.
Billionaire mining investor Prateek Suri says the continent stands on the precipice of a historic opportunity created by soaring copper prices, aging mines in traditional producing regions and increasing geopolitical risks to global supply chains.
Society A statement shared with Plus said: “Widely seen as fundamental to electrification, renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, data infrastructure and advanced defense equipment, copper is moving into what analysts describe as uncharted territory. Prices recently soared above $13,000 per tonne and rose more than 3% to above $13,370 in early London trading, after passing the $12,000 milestone for the first time in late December 2025.
But for Suri, this rise is not due to speculation, but to deep structural changes in the global economy.
He said: “Global demand is being driven by irreversible forces. AI, green energy, data infrastructure and defense modernization are not cycles, they are long-term realities. And copper is at the center of all of them.”
The statement added that while demand continues to increase, supply is struggling to keep up.
“Many of the world’s major copper mines, especially outside the United States, are aging and less productive, and are increasingly constrained by environmental regulations, geopolitical tensions, and policy uncertainty. Trade restrictions, tariffs, and continued supply chain disruptions are further tightening supply availability, forcing manufacturers and governments to seek new reliable sources of supply,” the report said.
Against this backdrop, Africa is re-entering the global conversation as a strategic solution rather than a marginal supplier. ”
Widely believed to have some of the world’s largest untapped copper reserves, Suri believes Africa is uniquely placed to help close the growing global supply gap. He pointed out that what was once dismissed as “frontier risk” is now being reclassified by global markets as “strategic necessity.”
“Africa is firmly in the spotlight due to copper shortages outside the United States,” he said.
The main focus of Mr. Suri’s current investment outlook is the Central African Republic. Following recent high-level engagement with the country’s Ministry of Mines, he expressed confidence that CAR has the potential to make a significant contribution to global copper supply.
He says with the right combination of capital, governance reforms and modern mining practices, the country can play a key role in alleviating global resource scarcity.
However, Suri stressed that Africa’s opportunities should not be limited to mining alone. He said his investment philosophy is based on transforming the continent’s mining sector through modern exploration techniques, improved environmental, social and governance standards, local benefits and the creation of a mining ecosystem that creates long-term economic value.
“Africa must not just provide raw materials to power other economies,” he said. “We need to meet global demand while fostering our own industrialization. This will require smarter capital, patient partnerships and governments willing to align policy with long-term value creation.”
