https://en.sputniknews.africa/20260225/processing-not-exporting-will-define-africas-mineral-future-resource-economist-argues--1083709830.html
Processing, Not Exporting, Will Define Africa’s Mineral Future, Resource Economist Argues
Processing, Not Exporting, Will Define Africa’s Mineral Future, Resource Economist Argues
Sputnik Africa
As global demand for critical minerals surged, Africa stood firmly at the center of the 21st-century resource economy. With vast reserves essential for energy... 25.02.2026, Sputnik Africa
2026-02-25T15:14+0100
2026-02-25T15:14+0100
2026-02-25T15:14+0100
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Processing, Not Exporting, Will Define Africa’s Mineral Future, Resource Economist Argues
Sputnik Africa
As global demand for critical minerals surged, Africa stood firmly at the center of the 21st-century resource economy. With vast reserves essential for energy transitions and digital technologies, the continent faced a defining opportunity to transform mineral wealth into industrial expansion, regional integration, and long-term economic strength.
From lithium and cobalt to platinum and rare earth elements, Africa’s deposits increasingly shaped global supply chains. The conversation was no longer about whether the continent possessed the resources but about how those resources could anchor domestic processing, manufacturing growth, and stronger bargaining power in global markets.Global South Pole hosted Dr. Tafadzwa Mupingashato, a techno-mineral economist and international trade policy specialist and postdoctoral research fellow at the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs at the University of South Africa.Dr. Mupingashato explained that Africa’s real leverage lay beyond extraction, in building value chains that processed minerals within the continent. He noted that energy infrastructure, skills development, industrial alignment, and coordinated regional policy formed the pillars of that transformation. In his view, stronger manufacturing capacity and intra-African cooperation would position the continent not merely as a supplier of raw materials but as a strategic producer in emerging global industries.To listen to the whole discussion, tune in to the Global South Pole podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.In addition to the website, you can also catch our episodes on Telegram.► You can also listen to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Deezer, Castbox, Pocket Casts, Afripods, Podcast Addict, Overcast, and Mave Stream.► Check out all the episodes of Global South Pole.
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podcasts, economy, africa, minerals, resources, african continental free trade area (afcfta), youth, trade, free trade agreement, policy, domestic policy, market, lithium, cobalt, uranium, аудио
podcasts, economy, africa, minerals, resources, african continental free trade area (afcfta), youth, trade, free trade agreement, policy, domestic policy, market, lithium, cobalt, uranium, аудио
Processing, Not Exporting, Will Define Africa’s Mineral Future, Resource Economist Argues
Aliyu Bello
Correspondent, Podcast Host
As global demand for critical minerals surged, Africa stood firmly at the center of the 21st-century resource economy. With vast reserves essential for energy transitions and digital technologies, the continent faced a defining opportunity to transform mineral wealth into industrial expansion, regional integration, and long-term economic strength.
From lithium and cobalt to platinum and rare earth elements, Africa’s deposits increasingly shaped global supply chains. The conversation was no longer about whether the continent possessed the resources but about how those resources could anchor domestic processing, manufacturing growth, and stronger bargaining power in global markets.
Global South Pole hosted Dr. Tafadzwa Mupingashato, a techno-mineral economist and international trade policy specialist and postdoctoral research fellow at the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs at the University of South Africa.
Dr. Mupingashato explained that Africa’s real leverage lay beyond extraction, in building value chains that processed minerals within the continent. He noted that energy infrastructure, skills development, industrial alignment, and coordinated regional policy formed the pillars of that transformation. In his view, stronger manufacturing capacity and intra-African cooperation would position the continent not merely as a supplier of raw materials but as a strategic producer in emerging global industries.
"We need to be able to explore the strength and opportunity across the partners, across the minerals, and across products and then start to formulate organizations that mimic even organizations like OPEC; we must start having control of the market as well. So, it's a mixture of a lot of things that are layers that sit on each other, which are then key drivers and lubricants for attaining a better Africa through the critical minerals, through value addition, and through our strategic position in the geopolitical world," Dr. Mupingashato stressed.
To listen to the whole discussion, tune in to the Global South Pole podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.
In addition to the website, you can also catch our episodes on
Telegram.► Check out all the episodes of Global South Pole. 
