Cape Town: African Mining Week (AMW), the continent’s premier platform for mining stakeholders, is set to underscore the significant role coal plays in Africa’s industrialization and sustainable development. Scheduled for October 1-3, 2025, in Cape Town, the event will gather project developers, investors, policymakers, and technology providers to explore investment opportunities within the coal sector, aimed at advancing coal-focused deals and partnerships.
According to African Press Organization, a dedicated panel discussion titled “Coal’s Indispensable Role: Powering Africa’s Downstream Processing and Manufacturing Boom” will delve into coal’s contribution to energy security, economic growth, and job creation across the continent. Africa’s reliance on coal is expected to grow, with the continent projected to increase coal usage by 6 million tons to 191 million tons per annum by 2027, as part of efforts to bolster the resilience of its electricity network.
Coal remains a critical energy source in Africa, with South Africa leading as the continent’s largest producer and the world’s sixth-largest. The coal industry has been instrumental in addressing load shedding challenges, with a 7% increase in coal use in 2023 and 2024 helping to stabilize the electricity grid. African coal also plays a substantial role on the global stage, contributing over 3.5% of the world’s total production. Countries like Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana are actively launching new projects and optimizing existing coal assets. South Africa exports 28% of its coal production, ranking it as the world’s fourth-largest coal exporting market.
African Mining Week is positioned as a vital forum for exploring a wide range of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held concurrently with the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference, from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors, and delegates interested in participating can find more information by contacting [email protected].