With the discovery of high-grade lithium in its Southern Province, Rwanda is making waves on the global stage of mining. This groundbreaking discovery was announced by UK-based Aterian Plc and its joint venture partner, Rio Tinto, and it shows how Africa is growing in its role for the growing global demand for critical minerals.
The grades of lithium discovered compete on the same scale with leading lithium deposits globally. Drilling results from two of twelve identified zones showed a 6.9-metre section rich in spodumene with 2.11 per cent lithium, including a 3.2 per cent concentration over 3.45 metres. Rio Tinto has activated its Stage 1 earn-in rights, obtaining a 51 per cent stake in the exploration permit and planning to invest $7.5 million to increase its interest to 75 per cent over three years.
Aterian’s Executive Chairman, Charles Bray, called the intercept “world-class”, placing Rwanda’s discovery alongside leading deposits in North America. The significance of such a statement goes beyond the grading system; it shows a strategic shift in the energy transition conversation.
Lithium powers electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, and digital devices, making it central to the global energy transition, which has largely relied on Australia, Latin America, and China. However, with this discovery in Rwanda, with long-term investment and the right infrastructure, Africa has immense potential.
Currently responsible for the jobs of 72,000 people and a 3% contribution to GDP, the potential revenue of this sector is estimated at $150 billion. With lithium now in the picture, there will be higher-value opportunities. Having more drilling and technical studies planned and a development roadmap expected by late 2025, if Rwanda stays the course on infrastructure, value addition, and policy clarity, it could not only export raw lithium but also attract refining, tech manufacturing, and jobs to the region.
The implications for African markets are far-reaching. Rwanda’s discovery adds momentum to the continent’s emerging role in the global critical minerals economy, especially as countries seek to reduce reliance on China and diversify supply chains. For mineral-rich countries like Zimbabwe, Namibia, the DRC, and Mali, this reinforces the urgency of investing in downstream infrastructure, processing capabilities, and stronger regulatory frameworks to maximise value capture. It also raises important conversations about cross-border collaboration, regional value chains, and trade facilitation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). If countries align on standards and leverage collective bargaining, Africa could position itself not just as a supplier of raw lithium but as a competitive player in the global battery, EV, and clean-tech supply chains. For investors, energy companies, and policymakers, Rwanda’s breakthrough is a signal that African markets must now be seen as strategic hubs for the energy transition, not just sources of raw materials.
