Africa’s push to unlock its vast mineral wealth will take centre stage at African Mining Week (AMW) in Cape Town this October, where industry leaders will assess how mergers and acquisitions can accelerate capital flows into the continent’s mining sector.
A dedicated panel, “Leveraging Global M&As to Secure Investment”, is set to convene investors, mining executives and policymakers to examine how strategic transactions can sustain investor confidence and support development of Africa’s estimated $8.5 trillion in untapped mineral resources. The discussion comes as the continent seeks to strengthen its position in global critical minerals supply chains.
Rising Demand Fuels Deal Activity
A surge in global demand for **critical minerals—expected to triple by 2030—**is driving a wave of M&A activity across Africa. Investors from the US, Europe, China and the Gulf are increasingly turning to acquisitions, joint ventures and equity stakes to secure access to key resources.
Inbound M&A deal values into Africa rose by 40% in 2025, with countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Ivory Coast, South Africa and Zambia emerging as key investment destinations.
Strategic Transactions Reshape the Sector
Recent deals highlight the scale and strategic intent of this investment wave. In South Africa, Exxaro Resources completed a R10.6 billion acquisition of manganese assets, strengthening its exposure to battery minerals and steel inputs while aligning with national efforts to attract new capital into the sector.
Meanwhile, China’s Baowu Resources increased its stake in Guinea’s Simandou iron ore project to 51%, securing greater access to one of the world’s largest undeveloped iron ore deposits. The investment also supports Guinea’s long-term economic strategy to leverage mining for infrastructure and industrial growth.
In Central Africa, Abu Dhabi-based International Resources Holding (IRH) acquired a 56% stake in Alphamin Resources for approximately $367 million, consolidating its position in the tin market. In Zambia, IRH’s participation in a $1 billion recapitalisation of Mopani Copper Mines is helping revive production, contributing to an 8% increase in copper output in 2025 and supporting ambitions to significantly scale production by 2031.
Africa’s Growing Role in Global Supply Chains
The acceleration in dealmaking reflects a broader shift: Africa is becoming increasingly central to global efforts to secure reliable supplies of critical minerals. Beyond capital inflows, M&A activity is playing a key role in job creation, infrastructure development and industrial expansion, reinforcing the sector’s importance to economic growth across the continent.
A Platform for New Partnerships
Against this backdrop, African Mining Week aims to position itself as a platform for connecting global capital with African opportunities. The focus on M&A reflects a growing recognition that strategic partnerships and consolidation will be essential to unlocking the continent’s mineral potential at scale. As competition for resources intensifies, the ability to structure and execute deals efficiently may prove decisive in determining how quickly Africa can translate its vast geological wealth into sustainable economic value.
