African leaders urge energy sovereignty and mineral refining

African leaders and policy organizations are calling for a strategic shift toward energy and mineral sovereignty to avoid remaining at the bottom of global supply chains. At the Africa Oil Week Energy Summit in Ghana, Prime Minister Russell Dlamini advocated for an ‘Africa First’ approach, urging the continent to prioritize African ownership of resources, technology, and capital to ensure true sovereignty.

Similarly, the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) and the Africa Policy Research Institute (APRI) have emphasized the need for domestic mineral refining and industrial processing. Experts argue that moving away from the traditional raw material export model is essential for economic resilience, particularly as the global energy transition increases demand for minerals like lithium, copper, and cobalt.

In Nigeria, stakeholders are pushing for green industrialization through critical mineral investments to create jobs and strengthen technological capabilities. However, challenges remain, including a significant energy investment gap and intense geopolitical competition. The United States and China are increasingly vying for influence over Africa’s mineral endowments, with China currently holding a significant advantage in securing producing assets such as copper and lithium.