Africa’s Greenfield Exploration Surges to Meet Global Mineral Demand

Record exploration activity in South Africa, Ghana and Namibia is propelling African nations to the forefront of the global mining supply chain, as African Mining Week 2026 prepares to showcase the continent’s latest projects and investment opportunities.

African mining markets are witnessing an unprecedented surge in greenfield exploration, with governments and investors racing to secure new mineral reserves and expand production pipelines. Last year, South Africa awarded 358 new exploration licenses, Ghana is advancing more than 90 projects and Namibia has received over 800 new applications – all signaling Africa’s intent to strengthen its role in supplying minerals vital to the global economy. The move comes as demand for critical minerals is projected to quadruple by 2040, while gold and other traditional commodities reach record prices, making exploration a strategic priority for industrial growth, job creation and downstream economic diversification.

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