A recent study by Africa Finance Corporation indicates that Angola is developing one of the world’s largest deposits of rare earth magnetic metals, which are also notable for their high quality.
According to the report, Compendium of Africa’s Strategic Minerals 2026, the African continent is gaining strategic relevance in the supply of critical minerals, in a geo-economic context marked by trade tensions, export controls, and industrial policies aimed at reducing dependence on concentrated markets.
The document notes that Mozambique has established itself as a key supplier of graphite and anode materials, while Namibia and Malawi resumed uranium production between 2024 and 2025. At the same time, manganese sulfate projects for batteries are advancing in Southern Africa, strengthening the region’s position in the energy transition value chain.
Strategic resources gain global centrality
The study highlights that growing demand for critical minerals is raising the strategic importance of African resources, especially when the continent can offer reliable, value-added alternatives.
Instead of limiting itself to the role of marginal supplier of raw materials, the report advocates selective integration of Africa into critical segments of global supply chains, where diversification could strengthen industrial resilience.
Among the resources considered essential are manganese, rare earths, graphite, uranium, and alloy elements that are fundamental to defense, aerospace, and clean energy technologies.
Lobito Corridor boosts regional competitiveness
With regard to Angola, the study also highlights the importance of the Lobito Corridor, a railway infrastructure linking the country to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia. The route is considered fundamental to increasing African competitiveness in a context of green industrialization and the reorganization of global logistics chains.
Experts point out that the development of rare earth deposits and the improvement of transport infrastructure could position Angola as a strategic player in the supply of critical minerals, which are essential for the energy transition and the global technology industry.
Source: Jornal Mercado
