Africa’s critical mineral resources, a boon for intra-African trade and regional integration

Africa, rich in critical minerals like cobalt, lithium, and nickel, has a significant opportunity to harness its resources for sustainable development amid the global green energy transition.

With 30% of the world’s reserves essential for renewable energy technologies, the continent can drive industrialization and intra-African trade through effective trade policies and value addition.

At a UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) meeting, experts highlighted Africa's readiness with strategies like the African Mining Vision but stressed the need for deliberate action to avoid losing benefits to global investors.

Recommendations included leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to develop regional value chains, conducting studies on mineral usage, and learning from past commodity cycles.

Africa’s critical minerals could power green industrialization, create jobs, and enhance economic diversification for sustainable growth.