From Guinea to Madagascar, initiatives are emerging to make African minerals more than just a commercial asset. How can we move from raw exploitation to a processing economy that serves the people? We report from the heart of a debate of strategic importance for the continent’s future.
At the 17th BRICS Leaders’ Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa made a strong appeal for equitable multilateralism and inclusive economic growth, centred on technology at the service of people. For him, this international meeting represents an essential strategic platform for rethinking the use of natural resources, with a view to stimulating sustainable economic development shared by the member nations.
« From now on, we must ensure that adding value becomes the absolute priority and that the essential minerals we have are put to good use. And we should no longer be exporting rocks and soils to developed countries but we must add value and export manufactured from these essential minerals. »
Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic – South Africa
The African continent, with around 30% of the world’s reserves in the extractive industry, is at a decisive crossroads. This wealth, often perceived as a major asset, now requires a profound transformation, based on economic diversification and industrialisation. The challenge is clear: to move away from dependence on raw materials and build more resilient economies capable of generating added value and sustainable employment
‘Mining because of its relatively better fundamentals can finance infrastructure and the key is to ensure that its infrastructure is not just there to be used for mining but that it can be used to open up opportunities in other sectors of the economy.’
Antonio Pedro, Deputy Executive Secretary of the ECA – Mozambique
In a context marked by numerous challenges such as the lack of infrastructure and the shortage of qualified skills, the African extractive sector also harbours vast opportunities. In his farewell address on 3 July 2025, the outgoing Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) stressed that the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) opens a new era for boosting this sector and strengthening its integration into regional value chains.
‘If we don’t change the nature of our industry, we will forever be independent of the ups and downs of this sector’.
Antonio Pedro, Deputy Executive Secretary of the ECA – Mozambique
Transforming the extractive sector is a complex task, but it remains an essential lever for ensuring sustainable development and the economic sovereignty of African countries. By creating jobs and securing income, the social impact is tangible. In Madagascar, the mining sector employs more than 500,000 people, while in Guinea, the world’s leading exporter of bauxite, natural resources are becoming a key driver of economic growth and regional integration.
