Africa earns little from its minerals
12 Sept 2026
Africa holds 30 percent of the world's mineral reserves. But it earns only 10 percent of global mineral money. This gap is very large.
The news comes from The Daily Star. It asks if Africa can grab its big chance now. Many countries want these minerals for phones and batteries.
For a small online shop in Bangladesh, this may seem far away. But mineral prices affect the cost of electronics. When prices change, your supplier prices can change too.
If Africa starts to earn more, the supply of minerals could shift. That might change what you pay for goods. It is good to watch this trend.
- Africa's share of global mineral reserve30
- Africa's share of global mineral revenue10
These numbers come from the paper that first reported the story.
Who this affects
- Shop owners who sell phones, chargers, or batteries
- Shop owners who sell any electronics or gadgets
What to do about it
- Check your current stock of electronics and note your costs.
- Talk to your supplier about possible price changes in the next month.
- Avoid tying up all your cash in one type of electronic item.
- Follow business news about minerals to stay informed.
First reported by The Daily Star, business. We read their report and wrote this in our own words. Numbers are theirs.