Niger is the largest country in West Africa, covering 1.267 million square kilometers. But 80% of it is desert. Despite the country’s poverty, its natural resources play a major part in the economy. The country is a top 10 uranium producer, with key reserves in the Aïr Massif region. Major sites include Arlit, Imouraren, and…
Mauritania, in northwest Africa, has rich natural resources that drive its economy. As of 2023, it is a major iron ore exporter, with Zouérat as a key production site. In 2023, iron ore exports recorded over $2.5 billion, nearly 40% of total export revenue. Gold mining is also thriving. The Tasiast mine produced over 450,000…
Sierra Leone is rich in natural resources, with major rutile, bauxite, iron ore, gold, diamonds, limonite, platinum, and zircon reserves. Mining is essential to the economy, contributing around 7% of the GDP and 80% of exports. However, it employs only 2.84% of the workforce due to its capital-intensive nature. Most large-scale mining licenses belong to…
Togo’s rich natural resources drive its economy. With 60 million tons of reserves, it is among the world’s top phosphate producers. In 2023, phosphate mining contributed significantly to exports, reaching 1.54 million tonnes of production. Other important minerals are limestone, gold, diamonds, marble, manganese, and bauxite, though some deposits, like iron ore and bauxite, have…
Senegal is rich in natural resources, and the mining sector plays a major part, with gold contributing over 40% of total output. Sabodala is the main gold hub, producing about 5.5 tons annually. Phosphate reserves, found in Taïba and Thiès, make up 15% of the sector’s output, with yearly production reaching 1.3 million tons. Zircon…
Mali, a West African country with no coastline, is rich in natural resources, with a lot of mineral wealth, gold, uranium, phosphates, bauxite, iron ore, and semi-precious stones. As of 2025, Mali remains Africa’s third or fourth-largest gold producer. Major mines are in the Mandingue Plateau, southwest of the country. Gold exports hit over $4…
Nigeria has an abundance of natural resources, both renewable and nonrenewable. Crude oil and natural gas dominate, making up over 90% of export earnings. Oil reserves are 37 billion barrels, and gas reserves are 202 trillion cubic feet. The country is also rich in coal, iron ore, limestone, tin, columbite, and gold. Bitumen reserves are…
Ghana boasts a wealth of natural resources that drive its economy and development. Often called the “Gold Coast,” it is Africa’s top gold producer, with gold making up nearly 90% of its mineral exports. Other key resources include industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, timber, and oil. The discovery of the Jubilee oil field in 2007 was…
Côte d’Ivoire is rich in natural resources and mostly relies on them for economic growth. The country is the world’s number one in cocoa production up 31.7% of global exports. It’s also a key exporter of rubber (11.2%) and cashew nuts (6.9%). The country holds vast mineral wealth, gold, diamonds, iron ore, bauxite, and manganese….
Gambia covers 11,295 km² and has limited natural resources. Key resources include silica sand, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), zircon, clay, and gravel, which are mainly used in local construction. The Gambia River is essential for fisheries and farming. Despite an 81 km coastline rich in marine life, the resource sector contributes little to the economy,…
