EU Boosts Investment in African Mining

In early 2025, the European Union ramped up its financial and technical support for Africa’s mining industry, aligning with the continent’s ambitions to play a major role in the global shift toward cleaner energy. In June, the EU selected four Africa-based mining initiatives among 13 worldwide to be prioritized under its Critical Raw Materials Act. These include the Songwe Hill Rare Earths Project in Malawi (by Mkango Resources), South Africa’s Zandkopsdrift project (by Frontier Rare Earths), the Maniry Graphite Project in Madagascar (led by Evion Group), and a cobalt refinery in Zambia.

The upcoming African Mining Week, scheduled for October 1–3, 2025, in Cape Town, will spotlight investment opportunities and collaborations between EU firms and Africa’s growing mining sector. A special EU-Africa Roundtable will highlight the EU’s support for sustainable mining practices across the continent.

Deepening Ties with the DRC

In June, the EU unveiled two new programs to strengthen its mining relationship with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)—Africa’s leading copper producer and the world’s largest supplier of cobalt. These include the “Cobalt for Development” initiative, which supports the formalization of artisanal mining, and the Panafgeo+ geological mapping project, managed in partnership with France’s geological research agency and the DRC’s Ministry of Mines. A panel at African Mining Week will explore DRC’s critical role in the electric vehicle (EV) revolution.

Infrastructure Support for Mineral Trade

To improve export logistics from Africa to Europe, the EU is investing in key transport infrastructure. This includes a €250 million, 10-year loan from Italy’s development bank to expand the Lobito Corridor, enhancing mineral trade routes from Angola, Zambia, and the DRC. The European Investment Bank also approved €113 million toward extending Mauritania’s iron ore railway—part of a larger €461 million plan to grow the country’s mining exports.

Strategic Investment in South Africa

A €4.7 billion EU financing package has been earmarked for South Africa, focused on mineral refining, green hydrogen, and transport development. As the top global source of platinum group metals, South Africa presents growing opportunities for EU businesses, which will be explored at a dedicated panel during African Mining Week.

Supporting Artisanal Mining

In February, the EU launched the ACP-EU Technical Assistance Facility for Commodity Resource Management to help formalize and train small-scale miners. This effort aligns with broader initiatives to uplift artisanal mining across Africa. A special panel at African Mining Week will discuss the balance between regulation and sustaining livelihoods in the artisanal sector.