Top 10 African countries with the highest coal reserves in 2024

Coal, one of the world’s most abundant fossil fuels, has been a major driver of energy production and industrial growth for decades.

Africa has its fair share of substantial coal reserves, with countries like South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Botswana leading the pack. South Africa, the continent’s biggest coal producer, has over 11 billion tons of recoverable coal reserves, placing it among the top ten globally.

Mozambique and Botswana also sit on massive untapped coal deposits, making them important players in Africa’s energy plans.

When it comes to reserves, South Africa leads the continent, with 9.89 billion cubic meters of coal, according to data from Global Fire Power. This puts the country comfortably in the global rankings. Mozambique is next, holding 1.79 billion cubic meters (26th globally), while Botswana follows with 1.66 billion cubic meters, placing 27th.

Some countries are major producers of coal, exporting substantial quantities to global markets, while some are more focused on consumption. For instance, South Africa not only produces significant amounts of coal but also relies heavily on it for electricity generation, with 80% of its power coming from coal-fired plants.

Data shows that 20 African countries are among the top 117 globally that still rely on coal.

On average, African countries don’t burn through as much coal as some of the world’s advanced economies. But with untapped reserves and growing energy needs, coal remains central to Africa’s energy future—even as the world shifts toward cleaner alternatives.