UN chief urges fair benefits for Africa from its mineral wealth
The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has called for African nations to be the main beneficiaries of their continent’s critical mineral resources. He stressed that the era of exploitation and unequal value chains must end, urging for fair and sustainable industrial policies. Guterres emphasized that African countries should gain full economic value from their natural wealth and that the people of Africa must benefit from these resources. His remarks highlight growing international attention on Africa’s role in the global supply of minerals essential for clean energy and technology.
What we know
- António Guterres stated that African countries should benefit first and fully from their critical minerals through fair, sustainable value chains and manufacturing.
- He called for an end to plundering and exploitation, insisting that the people of Africa must benefit from the continent’s resources.
- The comments come amid global competition for minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements, which are vital for clean energy and modern manufacturing.
- Guterres has raised these concerns at high-level African Union engagements and at the United Nations Office at Geneva, framing the issue as both economic and a matter of justice.
- His message aligns with African policymakers’ calls for equitable trade and investment partnerships that prioritize development and local industry over extractive export models.
