A wave of resource nationalism is sweeping across Africa, as governments increasingly seek to retain more value from their mineral wealth and exert greater control over the extraction and export of raw materials. From outright export bans to revised mining codes and increased regulatory scrutiny, African nations are signaling a decisive shift away from decades of reliance on foreign investment and unprocessed commodity sales.
The trend is driven by a confluence of factors, including rising commodity volatility, fiscal pressures, and a broader push for economic sovereignty. Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, and Burkina Faso are at the forefront of this movement, implementing policies designed to foster domestic processing industries and capture a larger share of the global supply chain. These actions are unfolding against a backdrop of intensifying geopolitical competition, with the United States, China, and Russia all vying for influence and access to Africa’s critical mineral resources.
Washington has responded by investing in Congolese mining operations and supporting infrastructure projects like the Lobito Railway, aiming to diversify supply routes for copper and cobalt away from China. Beijing, long a dominant player in African mining, is upgrading key rail links, such as the TAZARA line connecting Zambia and Tanzania, and maintains significant stakes in mines and processing facilities across the continent. Moscow, too, is pursuing deals in resource-rich regions to secure access amid global competition.
Since 2023, the pace of regulatory intervention has accelerated. Zimbabwe’s mines minister, Winston Chitando, has articulated a sentiment increasingly echoed across the continent: exporting raw minerals is tantamount to “exporting jobs.” This conviction is fueling a series of measures aimed at promoting local beneficiation – the process of adding value to raw materials within the country of origin.
Active Export Bans
Zimbabwe currently stands as the most prominent example of this trend, enforcing a ban on raw lithium exports and compelling mining companies to invest in local processing plants. Authorities have also indicated potential restrictions on chrome ore exports in 2025, further solidifying their commitment to value addition. Malawi has imposed a temporary ban on all unprocessed mineral exports while it reviews its mining framework, with officials stating the pause is intended to reset the sector in favour of domestic processing.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, a dominant force in global cobalt supply, has periodically suspended cobalt exports to manage oversupply and strengthen its negotiating position in battery mineral markets. Congolese officials have framed these measures as necessary to “defend national interests” in a sector crucial to the global energy transition.
Regulatory Controls
Beyond outright bans, several governments are employing more nuanced regulatory tools to achieve similar objectives. In the Alliance of Sahel States, Mali has revised its mining code to increase state equity stakes and tighten export permit conditions. Following a 2023 coup, authorities have repeatedly suspended gold exports during disputes over unpaid taxes and contract compliance. The finance ministry has stated that these reforms are designed to ensure the country “fully benefits from its mineral wealth.”
Burkina Faso has moved to centralize gold purchasing through state-linked entities and restrict artisanal gold exports, citing widespread smuggling and revenue losses. Officials have also signaled plans to develop local refining capacity, a move that would further reduce reliance on foreign processors. In 2025, Burkina Faso recorded a historic 94 tonnes of gold output, driven by mining sector reforms and a renewed push for energy and resource sovereignty.
Ghana’s approach has focused on banning mining in all forest reserves through the revocation of a 2022 regulation, effectively curtailing future mineral output from environmentally sensitive areas. Lands and Natural Resources Minister Samuel Jinapor said the decision reflected a commitment to protect forests while “restoring sanity” to the mining sector.
Tariffs, Ownership Rules, and Conditional Exports
Botswana is now requiring mining firms to sell 24% of new concessions to local investors, deepening domestic participation in a sector historically dominated by foreign capital. South Africa continues to leverage export permits and policy pressure to protect domestic smelters, particularly in chrome and platinum group metals. Guinea has enforced refinery construction deadlines that effectively condition bauxite exports on local processing.
The ultimate success of these policies remains to be seen. The challenge lies in translating tighter controls into viable processing industries and sustainable job creation, while avoiding the risk of deterring investment and driving trade into informal channels. What is clear, however, is that Africa’s era of unquestioned raw mineral exports is rapidly coming to an end, signaling a new chapter in the continent’s economic and geopolitical trajectory.
