A Call for Strategic Collaboration in a Rapidly Shifting Global Minerals Economy
In early December 2025, specialists participating in a regional mining and energy forum emphasized that Africa’s long-term prosperity will depend on how it manages its critical minerals endowment—from cobalt and copper to lithium, manganese, and rare earths. Speakers argued that the continent must move beyond the historic model of exporting raw ore and instead adopt partnerships that strengthen local processing, technological transfer, and industrial linkages. The message was clear: Africa stands at the center of the global energy transition, but value creation will only materialize through deliberate strategy.
Infrastructure, Processing Capacity, and Regional Coordination as Core Priorities
Panelists highlighted three structural gaps limiting Africa’s ability to benefit from the critical-minerals boom: insufficient infrastructure corridors, limited midstream processing, and fragmented regulatory environments. Countries such as the DRC, Zambia, Namibia, and Mozambique have significant reserves but rely heavily on foreign processing hubs. Industry experts stressed the need to expand refining capacity, harmonize standards across borders, and strengthen partnerships with technology providers and battery manufacturers. Without these elements, Africa risks remaining a supplier of unprocessed minerals while others capture the high-value manufacturing stages.
Implications for Africa’s Development Trajectory
The discussion underscores a key insight for African policymakers: geology alone does not generate prosperity—strategic governance does. By fostering integrated regional frameworks, investing in value-addition capacity, and negotiating partnerships that transfer technology rather than merely extract resources, African countries can reposition themselves within global clean-energy supply chains. The opportunity is significant, but so is the risk: if structural reforms lag, the continent may once again watch others capture the bulk of economic gains derived from its mineral wealth.