Edson Baraukwa | Africa Guardian
African nations are being called to take strategic steps to unlock the potential of the continent’s rich energy mineral resources. Collaboration, infrastructure development, global partnerships, and human capital investment are seen as the key pathways to achieving industrialisation and expanding energy access.
With its abundant reserves of critical minerals, Africa is uniquely positioned to drive a clean energy transition. By processing raw materials like copper, lithium, and cobalt into higher-value products, the continent could fuel local industries, reduce dependence on raw exports, and bolster economic resilience.
Tapping into Global Opportunities
The global battery manufacturing sector, expected to generate over 10 million jobs by 2030, offers a compelling opportunity for Africa. Even capturing a small share of this market could create 500,000 to 1 million jobs across the continent, reducing unemployment and retaining skilled talent.
In a recent paper ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Professor Mthuli Ncube, Zimbabwe’s Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion Minister, highlighted Africa’s transformative potential. Titled “How Critical Energy Minerals Could Be Africa’s Catalyst for Sustainable Development,” the paper underscores the importance of leveraging Africa’s mineral wealth for economic growth and sustainable development.
Critical Minerals for a Clean Energy Future
Africa is home to significant reserves of minerals vital for clean energy technologies. These include:
- Copper: Essential for electric vehicles and renewable energy systems, with demand projected to rise by 70% by 2050.
- Platinum Group Metals: Key to green hydrogen production and decarbonisation efforts, largely sourced from Zimbabwe and South Africa.
- Lithium and Graphite: Crucial for batteries, with significant mines in Namibia, Mali, and Tanzania.
- Cobalt and Manganese: Vital for lithium-ion batteries and renewable energy storage, sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo and other African nations.
- Bauxite: Found in Guinea, a global leader in aluminium production.
These resources position Africa as a major player in the global clean energy transition. However, Prof. Ncube notes that colonial legacies and post-independence underinvestment have hindered development, leaving many African economies reliant on raw exports and grappling with structural inequities, energy shortages, and high unemployment.
Beneficiation: A Game Changer
To overcome these challenges, prioritising beneficiation—the process of refining raw materials into higher-value products—can be transformative. By fostering local industries to process critical minerals, Africa could drive industrialisation, expand energy access, and strengthen economic resilience.
For Zimbabwe, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has championed beneficiation as a cornerstone of the country’s economic strategy. Under his administration, pro-investment policies have revitalised the mining sector, creating jobs and unlocking new opportunities for growth. Transitioning to domestic processing could increase electricity demand by up to 30%, driving further investment in clean energy and grid expansion.
A Call to Action
Prof. Ncube stresses that Africa is at a pivotal moment. By strategically managing its vast mineral wealth, the continent can stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and secure a prosperous future. The path forward requires a comprehensive approach that prioritises regional collaboration, sustainable mining practices, and investment in infrastructure and human capital.
As the world accelerates its shift towards clean energy, Africa’s critical minerals could hold the key to a more sustainable and industrialised future for the continent.
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