Weak Governance Fuels Armed Groups’ Revenue Networks

Lithium extraction in Africa’s Sahel region is reported to fund armed groups through revenue networks linked to weak governance and oversight of mining. Groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP are reported to exploit lithium mining via taxation, control of sites, and protection payments. Exploration and deposits are reported across Nigeria, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Chad.

Lithium Extraction and Armed Group Revenue Networks:

Dimension	Key Details
Critical mineral and uses	Lithium is a critical mineral used in rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles, smartphones, and laptops.
Demand drivers	Rising demand is linked to the growth of electric vehicles and renewable-energy storage.
Sahel region definition	The Sahel is a semi-arid belt stretching across Africa between the Sahara Desert and tropical savannas.
Countries with lithium deposits and exploration	Nigeria and Mali have promising lithium deposits, while exploration is expanding in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Chad.
Linkage with insecurity	Growing lithium extraction is becoming linked with insurgency, organised crime, and cross-border smuggling due to weak governance.
Nigeria: governance issue	Informal mining and weak regulation create opportunities for criminal groups.
Mali: linkage with existing resource economy	Armed groups involved in the gold economy are extending taxation and extortion to lithium regions.
Burkina Faso: armed group activity	Jihadist groups exploit informal mining networks and tax extraction.
Niger: political trigger	Political instability and weakened border controls after the 2023 coup have increased smuggling risks.
Chad: enabling factors	Weak governance and corruption facilitate illicit cross-border trade.
Previously observed resource-conflict links in Africa	Similar resource-conflict links are reported with diamonds, gold, and oil in Africa.
Way forward	Measures proposed comprise formalising artisanal mining, strengthening mineral traceability, strengthening cross-border intelligence, improving state control, and promoting domestic lithium processing instead of exporting raw ore.