Copper has become Africa’s second most valuable export after crude oil, with trade in the metal hitting an estimated $35 billion in 2024.
Yet despite 52 of the continent’s 54 nations exporting copper, nearly all the value, 98%, comes from just 10 countries.
The other 42 nations combined account for only 2% of the continent’s copper export value, a clear sign that Africa’s vast mineral wealth and export potential are far from evenly distributed or fully tapped into economically.
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According to an analysis by The Visual Capitalist, these are Africa’s top 10 copper exporters in 2024 by value:
— Leading Africa’s copper export market is the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which recorded an astonishing $19.8 billion in copper exports, more than twice the amount exported by the second-largest exporter on the list.
DRC’s copper is primarily shipped to China, the UAE, Egypt, Singapore, and the USA, cementing its dominant role in global copper supply chains.
— Zambia takes second place with $7.6 billion in copper exports, continuing its long-standing dependence on copper as a key economic driver.
The country’s major export destinations include Switzerland, China, the UAE, and India.
— Tanzania follows with $2.2 billion in copper exports.
The country’s major export destinations are China, India, UAE and South Africa.
— Congo-Brazzaville ranks fourth with $1.3 billion.
China is its Major export destination.
— South Africa comes fifth with $1.1 billion.
The country’s major export destinations include China, Malaysia, USA, Mozambique, UK and Singapore.
— Libya exported $913 million worth of copper, with most of its shipments headed to the Middle East and Mediterranean markets.
— Egypt exported $905 million, largely to North African, Middle Eastern, and European buyers.
— Namibia recorded $429 million in copper exports, mainly serving buyers in the EU and Africa for processed materials.
— Morocco earned $376 million, with Belgium, Germany, and China as key customers, while
— Nigeria rounded out the top 10 with $366 million in copper exports, primarily to China and other African nations.
According to global data, Africa contributes 15.3% of total world copper exports, placing it behind Asia with 31.6% and Europe with 31.4%.
Despite being rich in raw materials, the continent continues to miss out on the broader economic benefits that copper could deliver.
Most of Africa’s copper refining takes place outside the continent, often under the control of foreign companies.
This means African nations mainly export raw copper and capture only a small portion of the total economic value.
Without gaining control over production, refining, and manufacturing, countries on the continent continue to lose out on opportunities for industrial growth, job creation, and long-term wealth generation.
As global demand for copper rises, driven by its critical role in electric vehicles and clean energy, African countries are now faced with a strategic choice: remain exporters of raw materials or invest in the capacity to climb the value chain.
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Image Credit: Business Insider africa
