- Coal has long been a foundational element of Africa’s energy and industrial development.
- Africa’s coal reserves are estimated to be hundreds of billions of tons, with South Africa leading the continent as its largest producer and consumer.
Coal has long been a foundational element of Africa’s energy and industrial development. Africa’s coal reserves are estimated to be hundreds of billions of tons, with South Africa leading the continent as its largest producer and consumer.
Coal has long been a foundational element of Africa’s energy and industrial development, particularly in the southern part of the continent where some of the world’s richest coal deposits are located.
While global attention increasingly shifts toward renewable energy and climate-friendly alternatives, coal remains an essential and controversial part of Africa’s energy equation.
Africa’s coal reserves are estimated to be hundreds of billions of tons, with South Africa leading the continent as its largest producer and consumer.
The country is home to some of the most extensive and developed coal mining infrastructure, with coal powering over 70 per cent of the country’s electricity through its national utility, Eskom.
Other countries like Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Nigeria also possess significant reserves, most of which remain underexploited due to infrastructure deficits, limited investment, and evolving global energy dynamics.
These reserves hold the promise of powering industries, generating electricity, and providing a much-needed boost to export earnings. For many African nations, coal offers a relatively cheap and accessible energy source, especially in regions not yet fully integrated into renewable energy networks.
However, Africa’s continued reliance on coal poses a dilemma. International financial institutions are withdrawing funding from fossil fuel projects, and global climate goals, particularly those outlined in the Paris Agreement, call for a swift transition away from coal.
Environmentalists and climate advocates argue that expanding coal use could lock the continent into a high-emission trajectory, undermining sustainability efforts and health outcomes.
Below are the top 10 African countries with the highest coal reserves in 2025:
| Rank | Country | Coal Reserve | Global Rank |
| 1 | South Africa | 9,893,000,000 Cu.M | 12th |
| 2 | Nigeria | 2,144,000,000 Cu.M | 32nd |
| 3 | Mozambique | 1,792,000,000 Cu.M | 33rd |
| 4 | Botswana | 1,660,000,000 Cu.M | 34th |
| 5 | Tanzania | 1,410,000,000 Cu.M | 37th |
| 6 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 987,999,000 Cu.M | 44th |
| 7 | Zambia | 944,999,000 Cu.M | 45th |
| 8 | Uganda | 800,000,000 Cu.M | 48th |
| 9 | Zimbabwe | 502,000,000 Cu.M | 53rd |
| 10 | Namibia | 350,000,000 Cu.M | 56th |