Niobium, a high-performance metal critical in the production of advanced steel, aerospace components, and increasingly, electric vehicle (EV) batteries, is seeing rising global demand. Yet, the global supply chain remains heavily skewed. In 2023, Brazil alone accounted for 90% of global niobium production, totaling 75,000 tonnes, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). In contrast, Africa’s output was a mere 730 tonnes, mostly from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.

New exploration activity in Malawi

Australian company Kula Gold has obtained a key exploration permit from Malawi’s mining regulator (MMRA) for its Wozi Niobium Project. Though still in its early stages, this greenlight signals the region’s growing ambition to disrupt the global niobium monopoly. The Wozi permit adds to Malawi’s growing portfolio of niobium assets, most notably the Kanyika Project, managed by Globe Metals & Mining, also Australian. Kanyika is slated to become Africa’s first large-scale niobium mine, with a projected output of 3,267 tonnes of niobium pentoxide annually over 27 years.

Despite its potential, the project faces delays. Originally scheduled for construction in 2024, the launch has been pushed back due to financing challenges and delays in delivering a bankable feasibility study.

Tanzania’s Panda hill struggles to take off

In neighboring Tanzania, the Panda Hill Project, jointly developed by Cradle Resources and Tremont Investments, offers even larger potential. A 2016 feasibility study estimates annual production of 5,400 tonnes of niobium pentoxide over 30 years. However, progress has stalled. The developers are still negotiating with Tanzanian authorities over the fiscal framework and awaiting a Special Mining Licence (SML). In a July 2025 project update, Cradle acknowledged that the project timeline remains uncertain.

Other East African projects in the pipeline

Exploration momentum is building elsewhere in East Africa. A consortium comprising RareX and Iluka Resources has applied for permits for the Mrima Hill Project in Kenya, targeting both rare earths and niobium. In Malawi, DY6 Metals is advancing the Machinga Project, which has already revealed several mineralized zones with rare earth elements and niobium potential. Kula Gold, for its part, plans to commence a field reconnaissance program at Wozi by late 2025, with initial drilling to follow.

The East African push into niobium comes amid growing calls for market diversification. A March 2024 report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) warned of the risks of overdependence on Brazil.

Diversifying niobium sources is a strategic imperative,

the CSIS report noted. Relying on a single dominant supplier introduces significant vulnerabilities into the global supply chain. By positioning itself as a new frontier for niobium, East Africa could play a pivotal role in reducing global supply risk provided that exploration matures into commercial production.

A market on the rise and challenges

The strategic case is reinforced by robust demand forecasts. While steel manufacturing remains niobium’s primary market, its properties particularly resistance to heat and corrosion make it increasingly attractive in the electronics and aerospace industries. But its most promising growth driver is the electric vehicle sector. Niobium-enhanced batteries offer improved durability and thermal stability, critical for EV safety and performance. Market research firm Dataintelo projects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7% for niobium through 2032. By then, the market could be worth $4.8 billion, up from $2.3 billion in 2023.

Despite the optimistic outlook, East African niobium development faces numerous headwinds: permitting delays, infrastructure deficits, financing gaps, and complex negotiations with host governments. Still, analysts argue that the combination of untapped resources, growing investor interest, and strategic urgency gives the region a rare window of opportunity. “The niobium market is ripe for disruption,” says mining analyst Henry Adebayo. East Africa has the geology, the global tailwinds, and now the beginnings of a pipeline. The next step is execution.

If successful, the region could not only diversify the global niobium supply chain but also tap into a multi-billion-dollar market at a critical juncture in the green transition.