Johannesburg forum highlights urgency for deeper value creation
African leaders are facing growing pressure to shift away from exporting raw minerals and instead build full, value-added supply chains, as South Africa used the B20 meetings in Johannesburg to call for greater strategic control over the continent’s vast critical-minerals wealth. The discussions underscored the stakes for Africa as global demand for battery metals and renewable-energy inputs accelerates.
A continental resource base with global leverage
Africa holds some of the world’s most important reserves of cobalt, manganese, graphite, platinum-group metals and rare-earth elements — all essential to electric vehicles, energy-storage systems and clean-technology manufacturing. Despite this, much of the continent remains locked into low-value export patterns, shipping raw or semi-processed materials abroad where the real economic gains are captured.
Speakers at the B20 argued that this model is no longer viable if African economies are to secure long-term industrial and technological growth. They stressed that the global energy transition offers a rare window for the continent to reposition itself at the centre of critical-mineral supply chains rather than at the periphery.
South Africa calls for coordinated industrial strategy
South Africa, hosting the talks, urged regional governments to move quickly to establish shared frameworks for mineral beneficiation, industry standards and cross-border infrastructure. Officials argued that without coordinated policy measures, individual states will struggle to negotiate effectively with multinational buyers and manufacturers.
The emphasis was on developing an Africa-wide approach that could:
- Increase local processing and refining capacity
- Boost high-skilled labour pipelines
- Promote technology transfer from global partners
- Secure greater private-sector investment in sustainable mining
Leaders warned that unless these steps are taken, Africa risks remaining a source of unprocessed materials while other regions continue to dominate manufacturing and technology development.
Investment challenges and opportunities
Participants acknowledged that scaling domestic processing industries will require significant investment, stable regulation and stronger investor confidence. Energy supply, transport logistics and financing mechanisms remain persistent bottlenecks.
However, growing global competition for reliable, ethical and diversified mineral supply chains is creating new opportunities. Several delegates noted that African countries can leverage this demand to negotiate partnerships that include local manufacturing commitments, training programmes and long-term research collaboration.
Skills development as a strategic priority
A recurring theme throughout the meetings was the need for rapid expansion of technical expertise. Many countries lack sufficient numbers of engineers, metallurgists, geologists and industrial-process specialists to support a large-scale shift into value-added industries.
Governments were urged to accelerate investment in universities, vocational training and regional centres of excellence. Without a skilled workforce, speakers cautioned, Africa will remain dependent on foreign contractors and lose opportunities to build competitive, home-grown industries.
A decisive moment for Africa’s economic future
As the global energy transition gains pace, the pressure on African leaders is intensifying. The continent’s mineral wealth is both a strategic asset and a potential vulnerability if not matched with industrial policy, skills and investment.
The message emerging from Johannesburg was clear: Africa can shape its economic destiny in the clean-energy era, but the shift must be deliberate, coordinated and swift. With unprecedented global demand and mounting geopolitical interest, the window for decisive action is open — but it will not remain so indefinitely.
Newshub Editorial in Africa – 24 November 2025
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