As global shipping disruptions push oil prices above $100 per barrel, African Mining Week (AMW) 2026, scheduled for October 14–16 in Cape Town, aims to connect investors with Africa’s coal opportunities, highlighting how the continent could benefit from rising energy demand.
The conference will feature a panel titled “Africa’s Mining Opportunity in the Geopolitical Sphere,” exploring how ongoing tensions in critical shipping lanes, including the Strait of Hormuz, are reshaping global energy markets, and opening doors for African coal producers.
Coal is seeing renewed attention in Asia. South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan are turning to the fuel to stabilize power generation, and research by Morgan Stanley indicates that imports could rise by 1.5–2 million tons per month, an 8–10% jump, if disruptions continue. That surge represents a major opportunity for African producers.
South African miners are already moving to capitalize. Exxaro Resources plans to lift coal exports by 12% in 2026, reaching roughly 8 million metric tons, while South Africa’s rail upgrades could add 6 million tons in export capacity. Mozambique, aiming to increase coal output by 15% to over 22 million tons, and Zimbabwe, which doubled coal exports in the first eight months of 2025, are also positioning to take advantage. Botswana, diversifying beyond diamonds, is expanding coal production to ride the wave of demand.
AMW 2026 will serve as a strategic platform for investors to explore the continent’s coal value chain—from exploration and project development to logistics and export infrastructure. Co-located with Invest in African Energies: African Energy Week, it will allow participants to engage with stakeholders across mining and energy sectors, forging partnerships that could shape Africa’s energy future.
According to the organizers, Energy Capital & Power, the event underscores Africa’s growing relevance in global energy security. And while high prices are driving attention to coal, they also present a chance for investors to get in early, as the market positions itself for what could be a pivotal year in African mining.
