Why Africa Is One of the Richest Continents in Natural Resources

Just a few decades ago, a young boy in Kano would sit and watch his grandfather craft shoes, belts, and bags from leather, by hand. Customers came from across cities to buy these finely stitched goods. His grandfather often said, “This leather is gold we walk on.”

But that boy never read about leather in his schoolbooks. No one told him that his grandfather’s craft was part of a powerful, billion-dollar industry. He grew up believing that Africa had little to offer.

This isn’t just his story, it’s the story of millions of African children today.

We’ve Forgotten What We’re Standing On

Around 30 to 40 years ago, many African nations had economies that mirrored those of Asian countries. Both had experienced colonisation. Both were rebuilding from conflict and exploitation. But today, the gap between Africa and Asia is striking.

While Asia surged forward into global economic powerhouses, Africa, despite holding over 30% of the world’s natural resources remains behind in many global indices of development and wealth.

The reasons are complex, but one truth is clear: we’ve not taught our children to see Africa as a place of power, industry, and possibility.

We believe that history isn’t just about the past, it’s a mirror to our present and a map to our future. It reveals not just where we’ve been, but what we’ve ignored, undervalued, and what we still possess.

Let’s take a closer look at Africa’s natural wealth, the things we walk on, live around, and often overlook.

Here are some of the powerful, wealth-generating resources found right here on the continent:

Leather: Africa's leather sector is part of a global market expected to reach $30 billion by 2027. Nigeria is among the top producers. Experts estimate that Nigeria’s leather industry alone could generate over $1 billion by 2025.

Gold: Ghana is Africa’s largest gold producer, earning over $6.6 billion in gold exports in 2023. South Africa, Sudan, and Mali are also major players in this sector.

Limestone: Nigeria has some of the largest limestone reserves in West Africa. It powers the cement and construction industries and boosts the country's non-oil exports significantly.

Cobalt: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) produces more than 70% of the world’s cobalt, used in batteries for electric cars and smartphones.

Oil and Gas: Nigeria, Angola, Algeria, and Libya are major oil producers. In 2022, Nigeria alone exported over $60 billion worth of petroleum products.

Uranium: Niger ranks among the world’s top producers of uranium, used to generate nuclear energy globally.

Bauxite: Guinea holds the largest bauxite reserves in the world, a crucial component in aluminum production.

Copper: Zambia and the DRC lead in copper production, critical for electronics, power infrastructure, and construction globally.

Cocoa: Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire produce over 60% of the world’s cocoa, yet little of it is processed locally,a huge opportunity waiting to be unlocked.

Coltan: Used in electronics and smartphones, over 80% of the world’s coltan is found in Africa, particularly in the DRC.

So, What’s Missing?

The truth is: Africa doesn’t lack wealth. It lacks widespread awareness and ownership of that wealth. And if we don’t teach the next generation to understand and value it, we risk losing it again, this time not to colonisation, but to neglect.

We must tell our children about:

* The great civilisations that existed long before colonisation

* Our trade systems, innovations, and industries

* The local resources they walk on every day

* The value of building and producing from within

The Future Starts With What We Teach Today

It’s time we stopped telling our children that Africa is behind. Let’s show them what we actually have, the leather, the gold, the cocoa, the copper, and the courage.

Let’s raise the next generation that sees Africa as a continent of potential, richness, and remarkable history..

About LearnHistory Africa

LearnHistory Africa is dedicated to reconnecting African children with the rich tapestry of their continent’s history and culture, awakening children’s connection to their heritage. Through immersive, theme-based summer camps and a pan-African essay competition, we bring history alive in engaging, interactive formats, fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and pride, enabling children to uncover Africa’s greatness in tangible and memorable ways.

We nurture positive identity and 21st‑century skills while celebrating Africa’s ingenuity and heritage. Through LearnHistory Africa, every child can see themselves as part of a legacy, and a future defined by resilience, creativity, and possibility