Investing in Africa means more than accessing resources - it’s about backing long-term, inclusive growth.

Across the continent, nearly half of Africa’s 54 countries have introduced restrictions or outright bans on raw material exports in the past two years. This shift is reshaping global supply chains for critical minerals and signalling a new era for the continent’s role in the global economy.

Resource-rich nations such as Zimbabwe and Gabon are choosing to capture more economic value by processing minerals like lithium, manganese, and cobalt domestically, rather than exporting them in their raw form. This strategic move allows these countries to participate higher up the value chain, retain more profits locally, and foster industrial development.

Zimbabwe’s policy is already showing tangible benefits, creating 5,000 new jobs and increasing lithium export earnings from just $70 million in 2022 to $600 million in 2023. This surge reflects the rapid growth in global demand for electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy technologies.

Experts refer to this as “resource nationalism,” but the trend is less about exclusion and more about empowerment. By refining and processing minerals domestically, African nations are building capacity, strengthening local economies, and positioning themselves as strategic partners in the clean energy transition.

For SV Capital, these developments highlight the growing potential of Africa’s resource sector, not merely as a source of raw materials, but as a catalyst for investment, industrialisation, and sustainable economic growth. The shift creates opportunities for forward-thinking investors to align with Africa’s long-term development goals while tapping into one of the world’s fastest-growing sectors.