Africa must benefit first from its minerals – UN chief

By Goli Innocent

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, has said African countries must be the primary beneficiaries of the continent’s vast critical mineral resources, declaring that the era of exploitation must end.

In a post shared on X on Monday, Guterres called for fair and sustainable value chains that allow African nations to fully capture the economic benefits of minerals essential to the global energy transition.

“We must ensure African countries benefit first & fully from their critical minerals through fair, sustainable value chains & manufacturing,” he wrote, adding: “No more plundering. No more exploitation. The people of Africa must benefit from the resources of Africa.”

His remarks come amid intensifying global demand for lithium, cobalt and rare earth elements, key inputs for electric vehicles, clean energy systems and advanced manufacturing.

Although Africa holds significant deposits of these minerals, many countries continue to export raw materials with limited local processing, a model critics say restricts job creation and industrial growth.

Guterres has repeatedly urged global partners to support African industrialisation, arguing that mineral-rich nations should move up the value chain through refining, processing and manufacturing.

Analysts say the statement reinforces growing calls for reforms that prioritise local value addition and equitable trade partnerships, particularly as competition for critical minerals reshapes global supply chains.