Africa aims to add value to its green mineral resources

African policymakers and experts have called for an urgent shift toward local industrialization to maximize the economic gains from the continent’s green mineral wealth. At a recent United Nations Economic Commission for Africa workshop in Addis Ababa, discussions focused on moving beyond raw material exports. With mineral reserves—including cobalt, lithium, and platinum—valued at $29.5 trillion, experts noted that Africa currently captures only a small fraction of this potential value. Cosmas Ochieng, a lead official at the commission, emphasized that while global demand for transition minerals is set to soar by 2040, resource wealth alone does not guarantee development. The participants identified the lack of accurate geological data and industrial capacity as primary obstacles. The initiative aims to align regional policies to foster sustainable industrial growth, job creation, and enhanced economic connectivity across the continent.