Stakeholders in governance and the extractive sector have underscored the need for strong institutions, transparency and accountable leadership to ensure Africa’s critical minerals contribute to sustainable development and economic transformation.
They said although the continent possessed vast deposits of critical minerals required for renewable energy, digital technologies, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing, their benefits would only be realised through effective governance.
The call was made at the close of the three-day High-Level Conference on Governance, Critical Minerals and Conflict in Africa held in Accra.
Mr Tem Fuh Mbuh, Programme Manager for Transformation at the Open Society Foundations, said Africa’s critical minerals future depended more on good governance than the abundance of mineral resources.
He said transparent institutions, adherence to the rule of law, citizen participation and accountability were essential to ensuring that mineral wealth promoted peace, inclusive growth and shared prosperity across the continent.
Mr Mbuh noted that conflicts in many mineral-rich countries were often driven by exclusion, inequitable distribution of benefits and weak institutions rather than the existence of mineral resources.
He called on African countries to move beyond exporting raw minerals by investing in value addition, industrialisation, technology, innovation and regional value chains to maximise the benefits of critical minerals.
He also advocated conflict-sensitive governance systems that prioritised dialogue, inclusion, mediation and social cohesion.
“Women, youth, artisanal miners, local communities and human rights defenders must be recognised as key partners in resource governance. Inclusive participation is essential for legitimacy, sustainability and peaceful development,” he said.
Mr Mbuh further proposed the establishment of national and Pan-African Sovereign Wealth Funds to invest mineral revenues in human capital development, environmental restoration, technology transfer and community development, while strengthening citizen participation and enforcement of mining laws.
The conference brought together community leaders, policymakers, civil society organisations, responsible mining advocates, researchers, traditional authorities, development partners and private sector representatives from across Africa.
The event was convened by the Open Society Foundations, an organisation that promotes inclusive democracies and accountable governance.
In her closing remarks, Madam Leela Ramdhani, Chief Operating Officer of the Open Society Foundations, called for a rebalancing of power between states and multinational corporations, mining companies and host communities, as well as global financiers and local producers.
She said communities affected by mining activities must be placed at the centre of decisions on resource governance, benefit-sharing and development.
“Those who bear the greatest social, environmental and economic costs of extraction must have the greatest voice in determining its future,” she said.
Madam Ramdhani described the global race for critical minerals as a test of sovereignty, democracy, international cooperation and equitable development.
She urged African leaders and stakeholders to adopt long-term approaches that would ensure the continent’s mineral wealth became a catalyst for sustainable development rather than repeating past patterns of resource exploitation.
