Greenpeace Africa believes continent must zero in on governance to safeguard minerals

Environmental lobby group Greenpeace Africa believes the continent needs to pay closer attention to the governance crisis in some regions, as the rest of the world makes another play for Africa’s critical minerals.

On Wednesday, the organisation released a new report giving insights on the implementation of policy to protect the continent’s precious resources.

As global trade dynamics shift, the pressure to diversify and secure critical mineral supply chains has focussed the world’s attention on where critical minerals are located and where they are processed.

While Africa holds 30% of global critical mineral reserves – including platinum group metals, cobalt and manganese – the continent still falls short on value addition.

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Research fellow at the South African Institute of International Affairs Adrian Joseph said it’s worrying that African countries with substantial mineral resources have failed to properly benefit from these resources.

“Whether or not it ends up fundamentally being a challenge or opportunity, boils down to governance.”

Just Transition advisor at Power Shift Africa - Kudakwashe Majonjo - said tougher conversations are needed on governance.

“A lot of our governments still see their work as nation focused, rather than continent focused. A lot of what they say in the public sphere is not what they do in negotiations.”