Africa is an extremely rich continent with a long history of mining. Many African nations, particularly Namibia, the Democratic Rebublic of Congo, Madagascar, Morocco, south Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, and Mali produce mineral specimens and fine gemstones. Some nations in Africa such as Sierra Leone and Zambia have extensive mining operations throughout them but rarely produce mineral specimens.

There are over 50 countries in Africa and many of these nations are involved in mining as their primary economic activity. It is fair to say around half of these nations have produced mineral specimens. The most significant producers of mineral specimens in Africa are Namibia, Morocco, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, and Tanzania.