Egypt Leads North Africa in Copper Exports

Egypt has emerged as North Africa’s top copper exporter, outpacing regional peers Morocco and Libya, according to a new report by Business Africa, which ranked the continent's top 10 copper-exporting countries.

The report underscores copper’s rising status as Africa’s second-most valuable export after crude oil, with total trade value reaching an estimated $35 billion in 2024. While 52 out of 54 African nations export copper in some capacity, 98% of the continent’s copper export value is concentrated in just 10 countries.

Egypt’s growing prominence in copper exports reflects its accelerated push to expand its mining and metals sector, part of a broader economic diversification strategy. The report highlighted Egypt’s key export markets, including Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, positioning the country as an increasingly important supplier in regional and global copper supply chains.

“Egypt’s rise in copper exports supports its ambition to become a key hub for mineral resources in the region,” the report noted, pointing to infrastructure improvements and regulatory reforms in the mining sector.

Africa currently accounts for 15.3% of global copper exports, a sizeable contribution given rising global demand for the metal, which is critical in renewable energy infrastructure, electric vehicles, and industrial manufacturing.

Beyond North Africa, the continent's leading copper exporters include:

DRC

Zambia

Tanzania

Republic of Congo 

Namibia

Nigeria

These countries dominate Africa’s copper output, supplying the bulk of raw materials to global markets.

The report also notes that China remains the primary destination for most African copper exports, reflecting the Chinese economy’s unrelenting demand for raw materials to fuel its manufacturing and energy transition sectors.

“The Chinese market continues to play a central role in shaping copper trade dynamics across Africa,” Business Africa said.

As nations worldwide invest heavily in green technologies and electrification, copper demand is expected to rise further, presenting strategic opportunities for countries like Egypt to cement their positions in the global value chain.