COP 28: Critical Minerals Should Address Socio-Economic Aspects in Africa

Critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, copper, nickel, and other rare earth elements are in high demand for the production of batteries, electric vehicles wind turbines, solar panels, and other clean technologies in the world. Africa itself possesses about 30% of the entire world’s mineral reserves which makes it the most eyed region for critical mineral investments.

On the sidelines of COP28 which kicked off today, November 30 in Dubai, the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), the Africa-Coalition for Sustainable Energy and Access (ACSEA) in partnership with the Africa-Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI), and the Africa Development Bank brought thoughtful discussions over critical minerals and how they should contribute to Africa’s socio-economic sustainability.

During this side event, participants highlighted the challenges that Africa’s minerals including critical ones are not serving the interest of Africans as they are given that they are exploited and processed outside Africa.

Dr. Olufunso Somorin Regional Principal Officer at the African Development Bank indicated that for African countries to benefit from their natural resources first “We need to understand that Africa has the opportunity to drive demand and supply which would enable the continent to compete in the global market”. He urged that the African government should enhance the governance through harmonization of country-level policies and initiatives which should contribute to regional integration.

In Africa, the mining sector employs tens of millions of Africans particularly in the small-scale mining sector, especially in the sub-Saharan region.

 From the mid-1990s, transnational corporations started directing their investment in the extractive sector in Africa. However, the investment is criticized for the fact that it has created Africa’s economic dependency particularly primary commodity exports with limited domestic value addition and capture and little improvement in local manufacturing processes.

Dr. Mithika Mwenda, the Executive Director of PACJA reiterated the urgency for the process review that is in favour of inclusive socio-economic advances. “So this gap is noticed, we have a second chance in Africa but it cannot happen in a vacuum because it needs to address the pollution and biodiversity. Critical mineral and value chains should address social economic aspects and we must be part of that meaningful engagement and participation processes,” urged Mithika Mwenda

 In the process of transition to renewable energy where the most critical minerals are needed, the accountability and assessment of clear involvement of all was raised.  According to Nhonlanhala Radebe from South Africa, there should be a monitoring mechanism to ensure that the neediest communities are involved in the critical minerals initiatives.

Key messages shared during this first-ever side event at COP28 include the vitality of critical minerals for the global energy transition and the challenge they pose for sustainability and inclusiveness; the need for African Countries       African countries to have an immense potential to contribute to the global supply of critical minerals; Fair and transparent access to critical minerals for African countries requires strengthening governance and regulatory frameworks, diversifying economies, enhancing value addition and beneficiation capacities, and fostering regional cooperation and integration; and essential cooperation and partnerships among relevant stakeholders are for enhancing the sustainability and inclusiveness of critical mineral development in Africa.