Lithium mining in the Sahel faces risks from insurgent exploitation

The expanding global demand for lithium, driven by the transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, is creating new security risks in the Sahel region of Africa. While current top producers include Chile, Australia, and China, the Sahel is emerging as a significant area for potential supply.

Research indicates that growing lithium industries in countries such as Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Nigeria are becoming entangled in existing conflicts, insurgent activity, and cross-border smuggling. Weak governance has allowed jihadist and criminal groups, specifically Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), to exploit the lack of oversight in lithium mining to generate revenue and expand their operations.

With African lithium production expected to rise from 40,000 tonnes annually to an estimated 500,000 tonnes by 2030, experts warn that without strengthened government oversight, the mineral risks funding further conflict rather than supporting regional development.