Africa’s Resource Power Plays: Oil Risks, Mining Expansion and Resource Nationalism Reshape the Continent’s Markets

Across Africa, the battle for control over energy, minerals and export infrastructure is intensifying. From rising oil supply risks tied to Middle East tensions to new mining investments in South Africa and resource nationalism in the Sahel, the continent’s commodity landscape is undergoing rapid transformation.

Recent developments reviewed by the Accra Street Journal (ASJ) highlight how African governments and business leaders are repositioning themselves within the global resource economy.

Oil Supply Risks Rattle African Fuel Importers

Fuel-importing economies across Africa are closely monitoring developments in the Middle East as tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel threaten vital global oil shipping routes.

A significant share of global petroleum shipments passes through the Strait of Hormuz, making the corridor one of the world’s most strategically important energy transit points.

According to the Accra Street Journal (ASJ), the potential disruption is already prompting African governments to monitor fuel shipments more closely.

In Kenya, regulators are tracking a critical fuel tanker expected to load petroleum products in the Red Sea before arriving at the Port of Mombasa, the region’s largest fuel distribution hub.

Officials from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority say the country has adequate reserves for now, but any delays in tanker loading could tighten supply across East Africa.

Further south, South Africa is already preparing motorists for higher fuel prices as global oil markets react to geopolitical uncertainty and rising shipping costs.

Energy analysts cited by ASJ warn that prolonged disruption in tanker traffic could push fuel prices higher across several African economies that rely heavily on imported refined petroleum.

Motsepe Expands Mining Empire

While energy markets face uncertainty, Africa’s mining sector is witnessing major investment activity.

South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe is expanding his influence in global mineral supply chains through his company African Rainbow Minerals.

ARM has joined a consortium developing a major manganese export terminal at Ngqura Port in partnership with Transnet and major mining companies including Anglo American, South32 and Exxaro Resources.

The planned facility will initially handle 16 million tons of manganese exports per year, potentially expanding to 22 million tons, according to industry data reviewed by the Accra Street Journal (ASJ).

The new terminal will replace the aging manganese export facility at Port Elizabeth Harbour, allowing South Africa to increase its export capacity.

South Africa holds about 75% of the world’s known manganese reserves, most of them located in the Northern Cape’s Kalahari Basin.

As demand for manganese grows due to its role in steel production and battery technologies, the new export infrastructure could strengthen the country’s position in global mineral markets.

For Motsepe, whose portfolio spans platinum, iron ore, coal and manganese, the project represents another strategic expansion of his mining empire.

Niger Pushes Resource Nationalism

At the same time, governments in parts of West Africa are moving in the opposite direction—tightening control over natural resources.

The military government of Niger recently revoked gold mining concessions held by three companies, citing failure to meet contractual obligations.

Authorities say the companies failed to pay required taxes and did not comply with environmental and reporting regulations.

The decision comes amid sweeping policy changes since the 2023 Niger coup d'état, which brought military leaders to power.

The government has also rejected a licence extension for British energy company Savannah Energy covering oil exploration blocks in the Agadem Rift Basin.

According to analysis cited by the Accra Street Journal (ASJ), the policy reflects a broader effort by Sahel governments to increase state participation in extractive industries and renegotiate contracts with foreign operators.

Niger previously nationalised its only industrial gold mine, the Samira Gold Mine, as part of this strategy.

Africa’s Resource Future

Taken together, these developments reveal a continent navigating two parallel trends: expansion of resource infrastructure and rising resource nationalism.

On one hand, private investors and mining giants are building new logistics networks to meet growing global demand for strategic minerals.

On the other, governments—particularly in politically volatile regions—are seeking greater control over resource revenues and ownership.

As the Accra Street Journal (ASJ) observes, Africa’s commodity sectors are entering a new phase in which infrastructure investment, geopolitical tensions and resource sovereignty will increasingly shape the continent’s economic trajectory.

For global investors and policymakers alike, the message is clear: Africa’s resource markets are becoming more strategic, more contested—and more central to the future of the global economy.