UONGOZI Institute

We are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of former Botswana President Festus Mogae. A distinguished statesman and principled leader, the former president was one of the founding members of our African Leadership Forum and an important contributor to our work. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his family and the people of Botswana.

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Africa’s critical minerals in the global energy transition.

Read more: https://www.uongozi.go.tz

Dr. Kojo Busia, Director of the Green Africa Minerals Ltd., counsels that “Africa must avoid becoming a pawn in the critical minerals geopolitical landscape by building state capability to control segments in the supply chain.” He adds, “Without data control, Africa loses value; without coordination, it loses leverage; and without collective strategy, geopolitics dictates outcomes.”

Mr. Vusi Mabena, Executive Secretary of the Mining Association of Southern Africa, on lessons to help Africa leverage its critical mineral wealth strategically: Focus on building midstream industries (precursors, cathode/anode materials) before embarking on full battery assembly. This includes incentives for both the supply (manufacture) and the demand side interventions (product subsidies).

Dr. Marit Kitaw, Economic Affairs Officer at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa: The global demand for critical minerals is rising fast and so is competition for control. Africa should negotiate collectively with one voice and one strategy.

“If we compete individually, we weaken ourselves; if we cooperate, we become a global industrial force,” says H.E. Hailemariam Dessalegn Boshe, former Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

Dr. Paul Jourdan, Independent Mineral Policy Analyst: By localising the green mineral capital, Africa can create jobs and diversify economies, while extending access to affordable electricity to the millions of people currently without access.

Mr. Msafiri Mbibo, Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Minerals in Tanzania: In Tanzania, the mining sector employs thousands of individuals and supports countless families. It has the potential to lift communities out of poverty and spark significant improvements
in standards of living.

Mr. Claver Gatete, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, asserts that through coordinated policies, regional value chains and partnerships under frameworks like the , Africa can transform its mineral wealth into sustainable prosperity.