The African Union has announced plans to form a coalition of mineral-producing nations to manage the global rush for critical minerals after holding a climate summit. Africa holds vast mineral wealth – from the rare earths in conflict-hit Democratic Republic of Congo to oil-rich Nigeria – but has struggled to capitalize on its resources after decades of colonial plunder, and subsequent mismanagement and corruption.
the 54-nation African Union met this week for a climate summit in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
in a statement published recently, it said it would ‘explore and support the establishment of a coalition of critical mineral-producing countries of Africa to promote strategic and sustainable regional cooperation’. Labelling the move ‘Africa’s Green Minerals Strategy’, the AU said it would be a ‘vehicle for harnessing Africa’s vast mineral wealth for climateresilient development’.
the move comes as Washington looks to secure a supply of strategic minerals from the DR Congo, in an attempt to challenge China’s near-monopoly on the lucrative sector.
uN head Antonio Guterres said in August that Africa could become a ‘renewable superpower’ as it taps the raw materials needed for green technology around the world.