Africa is positioning itself for a larger role in the global battery minerals market as new forecasts warn that lithium shortages could begin as early as 2028.
A projection by data analytics company Wood Mackenzie shows global demand rising sharply under the energy transition, with consumption expected to exceed 13 million tonnes by 2050 – far outpacing current supply pipelines unless major new investments are made.
The continent’s expanding slate of lithium projects is emerging at a critical moment.
Africa was the world’s largest source of new lithium supply in 2025, with fresh output from the region surpassing that of all other regions combined.
Analysts say this momentum places African producers at the centre of efforts to stabilise global supply chains for electric‑vehicle and battery manufacturing.
Several countries are advancing large‑scale projects that could help close the looming supply gap.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Manono project – one of the world’s biggest hard‑rock lithium deposits – is expected to begin production between 2026 and 2027, marking the country’s entry into the lithium market.
Mali is also strengthening its position, with the Bougouni and Goulamina projects ramping up output and planning expansions that could push combined production toward one million tonnes of concentrate annually.
Ghana is preparing to join the list of producers, with the Ewoyaa project targeting first output in 2027.
Zimbabwe, already Africa’s largest lithium producer, is tightening export rules to encourage local processing and beneficiation, part of a broader push to capture more value from its mineral resources.
Wood Mackenzie’s outlook suggests that even under a slower energy‑transition scenario, lithium markets will only remain balanced until the mid‑2030s before slipping into deficit.
Under faster transition assumptions, shortages could begin within two years.
The consultancy estimates that US$276 billion in new investment is needed globally to avoid supply shortfalls.
With multiple greenfield projects advancing and governments pushing for downstream processing, African producers are increasingly seen as essential to meeting future demand.
The continent’s lithium prospects will be a major focus at African Mining Week 2026 in Cape Town in October where investors and policymakers are expected to explore partnerships across the battery‑materials value chain.
JN/APA