Africa is positioned at the heart of the world’s green energy transition, thanks to its abundant reserves of cobalt, lithium, gold, and rare earths, Labour Minister, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo, told delegates at the 3rd Executive Council Meeting of the African Federation of Miners and Mineral Wealth (AFMMW) in Accra on March 26, 2026.
Speaking at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, Pelpuo said that Africa’s resources, estimated at $8.6 trillion in untapped minerals, give the continent significant leverage in the global energy and technology sectors, but only if they are harnessed strategically for local benefit.
“Africa holds over 30 percent of the world’s critical green minerals. Yet, for too long, our resources have powered development elsewhere while our communities remain underdeveloped,” Pelpuo said. He emphasized that industrialization, local processing, and intra-African trade are essential to ensuring that the continent benefits from its natural wealth.
The minister highlighted that Africa must process its raw minerals locally to capture greater economic value and create jobs. He stressed that regional integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is key to boosting trade among African nations.
Pelpuo also underscored the importance of building strategic partnerships with global investors to access technology, capital, and expertise, while maintaining African control over its resources. In addition, he noted that peace and security in resource-rich regions are critical to prevent exploitation and conflict, which have historically undermined development.
Pelpuo further emphasized the role of trade unions and worker associations in ensuring that mining proceeds benefit local communities. Organized labor, he said, can help negotiate royalties, secure development projects, and advocate for fair labor practices, ensuring that the wealth generated by Africa’s resources reaches its people.
The minister’s remarks come at a time of heightened global competition for Africa’s minerals, with countries and corporations seeking secure supplies for electric vehicles, wind turbines, solar panels, and electronics. Pelpuo said the challenge is to turn this global demand into sustainable development, making African communities and economies the primary beneficiaries.
“The continent must industrialize, integrate, and unite,” Pelpuo said. “Africa’s resources are the world’s future, and our people must be at the center of that future.”
The AFMMW meeting, hosted by Abdul-Moomin Gbana, General Secretary of the Ghana Mineworkers’ Union, runs until 28 March and gathers leaders from across Africa to discuss minerals, union solidarity, and strategies for equitable participation in global supply chains.
