OECD Finds 96% of Africa's Critical Mineral Exports Raw or Semi-Processed as Global Powers Compete for Control

Highlights

• 96% of African critical mineral exports are raw or semi-processed, per a new OECD report published October 2026.
• China ranks fifth in African mine ownership but leads in financing and processing, underestimating its true strategic position.
• Africa's share of global exploration spending fell from 16% in 2004 to 10.4% in 2024, widening the midstream processing gap.
• The DRC supplies ~76% of mined cobalt, while South Africa and Gabon anchor African manganese production.
• The OECD report excludes rare earth elements, leaving Africa's separation capacity unaddressed for investors.