Lower over the period
Africa Coal Production moved from 266.2 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 257.1 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−3.4%), an average of −0.4% a year. The series high was 273.7 Million Tonnes in 2018 and the low 254.3 Million Tonnes in 2021.
What Africa Coal Production shows
Africa Coal Production was 257.1 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 0% on 2022. The Coal Production dataset for Africa from 2015 to 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of regional coal output, highlighting production trends, mining activity, and developments across the African coal sector.
A 7.1% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2018) and low (2021) is 19.40 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +3.9% in 2017.
South Africa leads the region
Within Africa, South Africa has the highest value in 2023 at 228.5 Million Tonnes, 88.9% of the regional total.
Country ranking
Coal Production by country, 2023
Million Tonnes. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
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| Rank↕ | Country↕ | Share of top | Million Tonnes↕ | vs 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 228.5 | −0.6% | |
| 2 | Zimbabwe | 5.00 | +28.2% |
By region
Coal Production by region
Million Tonnes, 2023. Each bar is that region's total.
Full series
Africa Coal Production by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Million Tonnes.
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| Year | Million Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 257.1 | 0% |
| 2022 | 257.2 | +1.1% |
| 2021 Trough | 254.3 | −3.7% |
| 2020 | 264 | −3% |
| 2019 | 272.2 | −0.5% |
| 2018Peak | 273.7 | +0.7% |
| 2017 | 271.9 | +3.9% |
| 2016 | 261.7 | −1.7% |
| 2015 | 266.2 | — |
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
Coal Production — - Coal Production refers to the total amount of coal extracted from surface and underground mines within a country during a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes and represents the output of raw coal before processing or consumption. The indicator includes the extraction of various coal types used for energy generation and industrial applications, reflecting a country's coal resource utilization, mining activity, and contribution to domestic and global coal supply. Coal Production is widely used to assess the performance of the mining sector, energy security, industrial development, and the availability of coal as a primary energy source.
The data includes the production of all major types of coal, including anthracite, bituminous coal, sub-bituminous coal, lignite (brown coal), and other commercially recoverable coal grades, where reported under national energy statistics. It covers coal extracted from both surface (open-pit) and underground mining operations for use in electricity generation, steel production, cement manufacturing, industrial processes, and other commercial applications. Production from both public and private mining operations is included, regardless of whether the coal is consumed domestically or exported. Data is compiled using standardized international energy reporting methodologies based on national mining statistics and industry sources, enabling consistent comparison of coal production across countries and over time.
The data excludes coal consumption, coal imports and exports, coal reserves, coal stock changes, and coal used after processing into secondary energy products. It also excludes coal-derived products such as coke, coke oven gas, coal tar, coal bed methane, synthetic fuels produced through coal-to-liquids (CTL) technologies, and other processed coal products unless specifically included in the reporting methodology. The indicator does not measure mining productivity, coal quality, calorific value, environmental impacts, or greenhouse gas emissions associated with coal production or use. Minor differences may occur due to variations in national reporting standards, coal classifications, moisture adjustments, and statistical estimation methodologies across countries.
About this indicator
Coal Production — - Coal Production refers to the total amount of coal extracted from surface and underground mines within a country during a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes and represents the output of raw coal before processing or consumption. The indicator includes the extraction of various coal types used for energy generation and industrial applications, reflecting a country's coal resource utilization, mining activity, and contribution to domestic and global coal supply. Coal Production is widely used to assess the performance of the mining sector, energy security, industrial development, and the availability of coal as a primary energy source.
Measured in million tonnes, the dataset captures annual coal production and serves as an important indicator of mining performance, resource utilization, energy supply, and the contribution of coal to the region's energy and industrial sectors.
Africa produced 266.2 million tonnes of coal in 2015, declining slightly to 261.7 million tonnes in 2016 before increasing to 271.9 million tonnes in 2017 and reaching 273.7 million tonnes in 2018. Regional production remained relatively stable at 272.2 million tonnes in 2019, declined to 264.0 million tonnes in 2020, and further decreased to 254.3 million tonnes in 2021. Output recovered modestly to 257.2 million tonnes in 2022 and remained nearly unchanged at 257.1 million tonnes in 2023. South Africa consistently dominated regional coal production, accounting for the overwhelming majority of output, while Zimbabwe and other African producers contributed comparatively smaller volumes with moderate fluctuations during the period.
Overall, the dataset indicates that African coal production remained broadly stable despite periodic declines linked to changing mining conditions, operational constraints, and evolving energy policies. South Africa continued to underpin regional supply, while production in other countries remained limited but supported domestic power generation and industrial demand.
The dataset supports analysis of Africa's coal mining industry, production patterns, and resource development. It provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, investors, and industry stakeholders evaluating mining activity, energy security, production trends, investment opportunities, and the evolving role of coal within Africa's energy and industrial landscape.
- Indicator
- Coal Production
- Region
- Africa
- Unit
- Million Tonnes
- Coverage
- 2015–2023, annual
- Category
- Energy & Power
- Last updated
- July 2026
- Source
- energyinst.org
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Frequently asked questions
What is Africa Coal Production?
Definition- Coal Production refers to the total amount of coal extracted from surface and underground mines within a country during a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes and represents the output of raw coal before processing or consumption. The indicator includes the extraction of various coal types used for energy generation and industrial applications, reflecting a country's coal resource utilization, mining activity, and contribution to domestic and global coal supply. Coal Production is widely used to assess the performance of the mining sector, energy security, industrial development, and the availability of coal as a primary energy source.
What was Africa Coal Production in 2023?
Africa Coal Production was 257.1 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 0% on 2022.
How has Africa Coal Production changed between 2015 and 2023?
Africa Coal Production moved from 266.2 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 257.1 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−3.4%), an average of −0.4% a year. The series high was 273.7 Million Tonnes in 2018 and the low 254.3 Million Tonnes in 2021.
Which year had the highest and lowest Africa Coal Production?
The highest value was 273.7 Million Tonnes in 2018 and the lowest was 254.3 Million Tonnes in 2021.
What does the Africa Coal Production data include and exclude?
Included: The data includes the production of all major types of coal, including anthracite, bituminous coal, sub-bituminous coal, lignite (brown coal), and other commercially recoverable coal grades, where reported under national energy statistics. It covers coal extracted from both surface (open-pit) and underground mining operations for use in electricity generation, steel production, cement manufacturing, industrial processes, and other commercial applications. Production from both public and private mining operations is included, regardless of whether the coal is consumed domestically or exported. Data is compiled using standardized international energy reporting methodologies based on national mining statistics and industry sources, enabling consistent comparison of coal production across countries and over time. Excluded: The data excludes coal consumption, coal imports and exports, coal reserves, coal stock changes, and coal used after processing into secondary energy products. It also excludes coal-derived products such as coke, coke oven gas, coal tar, coal bed methane, synthetic fuels produced through coal-to-liquids (CTL) technologies, and other processed coal products unless specifically included in the reporting methodology. The indicator does not measure mining productivity, coal quality, calorific value, environmental impacts, or greenhouse gas emissions associated with coal production or use. Minor differences may occur due to variations in national reporting standards, coal classifications, moisture adjustments, and statistical estimation methodologies across countries.
Where does the Africa Coal Production data come from?
The series is sourced from energyinst.org (https://www.energyinst.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1542714/684_EI_Stat_Review_V16_DIGITAL.pdf). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Million Tonnes.
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