Rwanda is gaining international attention as a rising player in the global tungsten market, with new opportunities emerging amid soaring prices and growing concerns over mineral supply chains. The East African nation, already Africa’s leading tungsten producer, is positioning itself as a reliable alternative supplier as geopolitical tensions disrupt traditional sources.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Rwanda produced approximately 1,200 metric tonnes of tungsten in 2023, cementing its place among the world’s top exporters. Data from the UN COMTRADE database shows that Rwanda accounted for 31% of global tungsten trade in 2022, with much of its output shipped to Austria for refining. The country’s tungsten is highly regarded for its exceptional grade, making it attractive to industrial buyers across Europe and beyond.
Local mining firms are beginning to align with new global dynamics. Trinity Metals, one of Rwanda’s largest tungsten producers, has revealed it is in active discussions with U.S.-based smelters to begin direct exports to the American market.
“The size of the U.S. economy and the growth trajectory will mean that there will always be a strong demand for critical minerals from the U.S. Trinity and Rwanda are ideally placed to provide minerals to the U.S. for many years to come,” said Peter Geleta, CEO of Trinity Metals. “The ever-increasing demand has the potential to drive further growth in mining in Rwanda.”
This shift comes at a critical time for the global tungsten industry. Prices have skyrocketed to their highest levels in over a decade, hitting $20,400 per tonne in May 2025 up from $16,200 in January, according to the Shanghai Metals Market. The 26% surge is largely attributed to export curbs implemented by China, which controls over 80% of global tungsten production.
Beijing’s recent decision to tighten export quotas on tungsten and other key strategic minerals, including tellurium, molybdenum, bismuth and indium, has triggered alarm in global supply chains. These measures, widely seen as retaliation for new U.S. tariffs, have prompted industrial consumers to seek more diversified sources of critical raw materials.
Kigali-based economist Straton Habyarimana sees this as a timely opening for African economies. “With the trade war going on, the U.S. wants to diversify its sources of minerals. A good opportunity for Rwanda and Africa to tap into that huge market,” he said in a recent interview with The New Times. In 2023, the U.S. imported $276 billion worth of minerals, mostly from China, underlining its dependency on foreign sources for industrial inputs.
Tungsten, also known as wolfram, is a rare and extremely dense metal with a melting point of over 3,400°C. It plays a crucial role in modern technology, from aerospace and defense to electronics and medical devices. Tungsten carbide, one of its derivatives, is second only to diamond in hardness and is widely used in industrial cutting tools and drilling equipment. The global tungsten market is estimated to be worth over $100 billion annually.
Rwanda’s mineral wealth has long been recognized. Since the 1920s, geological surveys by the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) have identified extensive reserves of tin, tantalum, and tungsten, collectively known as the 3Ts. These deposits are typically found in geologically active zones featuring steep faulting and granite intrusions, making Rwanda one of the richest sources of these minerals in sub-Saharan Africa.
While China and Russia continue to dominate production, smaller producers such as Austria, Bolivia, Portugal, Spain and Vietnam also contribute to global supply. However, the price crash that followed the 2011 commodity boom forced many mines to shut down in countries like Australia, Canada, Peru and the United States. As a result, new producers like Rwanda have stepped in to fill the gap, especially as demand rebounds in key sectors like renewable energy, semiconductors, and electric vehicles.
With tungsten now firmly back on the global strategic radar, Rwanda’s proactive approach, backed by credible exports, high-grade deposits and strong investor interest, could transform the country into a long-term, trusted partner for nations seeking to reduce their dependence on China. As global industries brace for continued volatility, Rwanda’s rise may be just the beginning of Africa’s broader role in the critical minerals economy.
