Rare-earth minerals are essential for modern technology, energy, and clean-tech solutions. African entrepreneurs are stepping up to mine, process, and develop these critical resources — creating local value and positioning the continent as a player in the global supply chain.
Here are the top 5 African entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping rare-earth mining, based on verified public activity and measurable impact as of 2025:
— Prince Jidayi Ijudigal (Nigeria): CEO of Hasetins Commodities. He is spearheading a $400 million rare‑earth processing plant in Nasarawa, Nigeria — a move aimed at scaling local value addition beyond raw mineral export.
— Bongani Raziya (South Africa / Uganda): Founder of Rwenzori Rare Metals. He leads work on the Makuutu rare-earth project in Uganda, positioning the company to contribute to Africa’s rare-metal supply chain.
— George Bennett (South Africa): CEO of Rainbow Rare Earths. Bennett drives mining and exploration across Africa, helping to unlock rare-earth potential in several high-value jurisdictions.
— Adonis Pouroulis (South Africa): Non‑executive chairman of Rainbow Rare Earths. With deep experience in African mining, he helps steer high-stakes investment and long-term development in rare-metal resources.
— Richard Duku (Ghana): Founder of Ghana Rare Minerals Ltd. Duku focuses on sustainable extraction and beneficiation of rare-earth elements, emphasizing environmental standards and local workforce development.
These leaders are not just extracting minerals, they are building processing systems, infrastructure, and strategies that can help Africa capture more value from its critical resources.
This list includes African entrepreneurs and business leaders with publicly documented, high-impact involvement in rare-earth or critical-mineral projects. Criteria: verified leadership, activity in exploration or processing, innovation, and relevance as of Q3 2025.
Image Credit: Freepik
