Africa must move from basic processing to industrial integration –PAMA

By Merit Ibe       

The Pan-African Manufacturers Association (PAMA) has urged governments across Africa to move further from intermediate processing and prioritise deeper industrial integration, including refining, component manufacturing and participation in global battery value chains.

Secretary General, PAMA, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, made the remarks while commending Zimbabwe’s latest milestone in the lithium value chain, following the first export of lithium sulphate by Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt.

Ajayi-Kadir noted that the move is a significant step toward industrialising Africa’s vast mineral resources, adding that local processing of lithium represents a departure from the continent’s long-standing dependence on raw material exports.

“The export of lithium sulphate should be seen as a foundation for building full-scale manufacturing ecosystems, rather than an end in itself.” To this end, he called for coordinated continental policies under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to support value addition, technology transfer, and regional supply chain development. “It is important to note that unlocking the full benefits of Africa’s mineral wealth requires investment in industrial infrastructure, skills development, and energy systems capable of supporting advanced manufacturing.

“Africa’s competitiveness in the global energy transition depends more on its ability to process, manufacture, and innovate locally, and not solely on resource endowment.

“The recent developments in Zimbabwe are a strong signal of what is achievable with the right policy direction. Good policy direction, backed by genuine commitment, is what Africa urgently needs to industrialise.”