African Nations Urged to Harness Critical Minerals for Green Industrialization

Addis Ababa, April 27, 2026 — African countries have been urged to leverage their vast reserves of critical minerals to accelerate industrialization and achieve sustainable development, as the global economy shifts toward low-carbon growth.

Speaking at a high-level forum on Africa’s critical minerals at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Hailemariam Dessalegn, Board Chair of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, said the continent stands at a pivotal moment in history.

 

“Africa must decide whether to seize this opportunity to build industries and secure prosperity, or remain an exporter of raw minerals,” Hailemariam, the former prime minister of Ethiopia also said.

The forum, titled “Harnessing Africa's Critical Minerals for Green Industrialisation and Sustainable Development,” opened today at UNECA headquarters in Addis Ababa.

It is organized by the UONGOZI Institute in collaboration with UNECA, ahead of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development scheduled for April 28–30.

Hailemariam noted that while Africa holds abundant reserves of minerals essential for clean energy technologies, such as cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements—the continent continues to export them in raw form, limiting economic gains.

He emphasized the need for African countries to move up the value chain by investing in mineral processing, refining, and manufacturing, including battery production and other green industries.

 

“The green transition must not become a new chapter of extraction without transformation,” he stressed.

The former prime minister also highlighted the importance of infrastructure development, particularly in energy and transport, as a foundation for industrial growth.

He further called for stronger regional integration under frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area, noting that no single country can independently develop a complete mineral value chain.

In addition, he urged governments to enhance governance, transparency, and equitable partnerships based on trade and investment rather than aid dependency.

Meanwhile, Executive Secretary of UNECA, Claver Gatete said Africa holds nearly 30 percent of the world’s critical minerals, positioning it at the center of the global energy transition.

 

He pointed to countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique as key players with significant mineral resources vital for green technologies.

However, Gatete noted that most of these minerals are exported without processing, while limited intra-African trade continues to constrain industrialization and job creation.

He added that strategic investments in local processing and the development of regional value chains could unlock billions of dollars in investment and create millions of jobs across the continent.

 

The forum brought together policymakers, experts, and development partners to explore practical strategies for harnessing Africa’s mineral wealth for inclusive and sustainable growth.

Participants called for stronger cooperation, increased investment in value addition, and improved institutional capacity to ensure the continent fully benefits from its natural resources.