UN Secretary-General António Guterres calls on African countries to benefit first from their critical mineral resources across the continent

The head of the United Nations has made it clear — Africa’s mineral wealth should first and foremost benefit African people.

In a pointed message shared on X, António Guterres said the long-standing pattern of extraction without meaningful local gain must come to an end.

His words were direct and unmistakable: no more plundering, no more exploitation.

For decades, many African nations have exported raw materials while the real profits — refining, manufacturing, and high-value production — have largely happened elsewhere.

Guterres is now calling for that model to change.

A Battle Over Critical Minerals

This statement comes at a time when global demand for so-called “critical minerals” is surging.

Lithium, cobalt, rare earth elements — these are no longer obscure industrial materials.

They are the backbone of electric vehicles, battery storage systems, wind turbines, solar panels, and modern electronics.

Africa holds significant reserves of many of these minerals.

The Democratic Republic of Congo alone accounts for the majority of the world’s cobalt production. Zimbabwe has major lithium deposits.

South Africa is rich in platinum group metals essential for hydrogen technologies.

Yet despite this abundance, much of the continent still exports unprocessed raw materials.

That’s the imbalance Guterres is pushing back against.

From Extraction to Value Addition

According to the UN chief, the solution lies in building fair and sustainable value chains.

That means processing minerals locally, investing in manufacturing capacity, and ensuring industrial policies allow African countries to climb the value ladder.

Instead of digging up lithium and shipping it abroad, why not refine it locally?

Why not build battery plants on the continent? Why not create jobs that go beyond mining sites and extend into engineering, logistics, and technology development?

These are the kinds of structural changes African leaders have been advocating for years.

More Than Economics — A Question of Justice

Guterres framed the issue not just as an economic matter, but as one of fairness.

Countries hosting these strategic resources, he argued, should benefit first and fully.

At recent engagements with the African Union, he emphasized that the global green transition cannot repeat the mistakes of the past.

The shift toward renewable energy should not become another chapter in a long history of resource extraction that leaves local communities with environmental damage and limited economic gain.

In other words, the energy transition must also be a development opportunity for Africa — not just a supply chain solution for wealthier nations.

Why This Moment Matters

The timing of his remarks is important.

Competition for critical minerals has intensified as the United States, China, and the European Union race to secure supply chains for clean energy technologies.

New trade deals, mining investments, and infrastructure projects are being negotiated across Africa.

Analysts say this gives African governments leverage they may not have had before.

With rising global demand, mineral-rich nations can push for better terms — including local refining requirements, joint ventures, and technology transfer agreements.

Several African countries have already started tightening export rules on raw minerals to encourage domestic processing.

Indonesia’s success in restricting nickel exports to boost local smelting has also influenced discussions across the continent.

Challenges on the Ground

Of course, moving up the value chain is easier said than done.

Building refineries and manufacturing plants requires massive investment, reliable electricity, skilled labour, and stable policy environments.

Infrastructure gaps, political instability in some regions, and financing constraints remain serious hurdles. There are also environmental concerns.

Expanding mining and processing activities must be done sustainably, with proper safeguards for communities and ecosystems.

Still, the argument gaining traction is that Africa should not be locked into a low-value role in the global economy.

What’s Next?

In practical terms, several developments are likely to follow:

• Increased negotiations between African governments and multinational corporations over local processing commitments.

• Greater involvement from development banks and international partners to finance industrial projects.

• Policy reforms aimed at encouraging regional value chains under frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area.

• Continued diplomatic pressure from the United Nations to ensure fairness in global mineral supply agreements.

Whether these ambitions translate into tangible change will depend on political will, investment flows, and cooperation between African nations themselves.

Summary

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for African countries to be the primary beneficiaries of their vast critical mineral resources.

As global demand for lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements surges, he insists that Africa must move beyond raw material exports and build fair, sustainable value chains that include local processing and manufacturing.

Framing the issue as both economic and moral, Guterres argues that the global green energy transition should create jobs and industrial growth within Africa rather than repeat patterns of exploitation.

His message aligns with long-standing calls from African leaders for equitable trade partnerships and greater control over strategic resources.

The coming years will determine whether this push leads to real structural change — or remains another powerful speech in the long debate over resource justice.