Mining is an important and strategic sector in Africa as it is estimated to employ about 8.5 million people, according to the African Union. This figure represents around 3.2% of the total workforce in Africa. The sector is estimated to have contributed around 9.4% of the total GDP in Africa in 2020. The main minerals mined in Africa are gold, copper, diamonds and phosphate. The continent is estimated to produce around 90% of the world's total gold output. 

The mining industry in Nigeria accounts for just 1% of the economy with about 40 different solid minerals available in Nigeria available in commercial quantities. There’s a renewed focus on the sector, with international companies setting up in especially gold and lithium mining. The mining industry in Ghana – formerly called the Gold Coast – is an important part of the country’s economy, contributing an estimated 5% to its economy. The country has 23 solid minerals including gold, bauxite, manganese, diamond, and limestone in commercial quantities. The mining industry in Ivory Coast is more limited, contributing an estimated 1.9% to the economy. South Africa’s mining industry contributes about 8% of the country's economy and key minerals include gold, platinum, uranium, nickel, coal, palladium, and diamonds, of which it is a major global producer. Senegal’s mining industry contributes about 2% of its economy and its most important solid minerals are gold and phosphate. Kenya’s mining industry contributes 2.5% of the country's GDP. The major solid minerals in Kenya include gold, gemstones, iron ore, and coal. 

As part of the drive towards economic diversification, many African governments have adopted more environmentally sustainable mining policies and have implemented policies to encourage local content to keep the value-added services within their respective countries. At the same time, international interest in Africa’s many mining resources remains sky high, and developments such as the drive for more electric vehicles are only fuelling demand.