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The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has called for African countries to be the primary beneficiaries of the continent’s vast critical mineral resources, insisting that the era of exploitation and unequal value chains must come to an end.
In a post shared Monday on X, the UN chief stressed the need for fair and sustainable industrial policies that allow African nations to gain full economic value from their natural wealth.
“We must ensure African countries benefit first & fully from their critical minerals through fair, sustainable value chains & manufacturing,” Guterres wrote.
He added emphatically: “No more plundering. No more exploitation. The people of Africa must benefit from the resources of Africa.”
The remarks come amid increasing global competition for critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements, which are essential for clean energy technologies, electric vehicles, and modern manufacturing.
African countries hold a significant share of these resources but have long argued that they receive limited benefits due to export systems centred on raw material extraction rather than local processing and value addition.
Guterres’ statement echoes themes he recently raised at high-level African Union engagements, where he urged global partners to support industrialisation and ensure that mineral-rich African nations move up the value chain through manufacturing and sustainable development policies.
Guterres, at the United Nations Office at Geneva, previously echoed the push for fairer mineral systems, noting that it is not only an economic issue but also a matter of justice, as African countries seek greater control over resources that are central to the global green energy transition.
He has consistently argued that countries hosting these minerals should benefit “first and fully” while creating jobs and advancing local industries.
Analysts say the comments reflect growing international recognition of Africa’s role in future energy and technology supply chains, with calls increasing for reforms that encourage local refining, processing, and manufacturing rather than dependence on raw exports.
Guterres’ message is expected to resonate strongly with African policymakers who have repeatedly pushed for equitable trade and investment partnerships that prioritise long-term development over extractive models
