frica, with its vast natural resources and significant reserves of critical minerals, plays a pivotal role in the global energy transition. As the world pivots towards cleaner energy solutions, Africa’s unique responsibility in supplying the essential minerals for technologies such as batteries, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems has never been clearer.

In this context on 26th September, H.E. Moses Micheal Engadu, Secretary-General of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), led a high-level Ministerial Delegation to a key roundtable discussion on strengthening local value chains for energy transition solutions in the Global South. This delegation included H.E. Monica Chang’anamuno, Minister of Mining of Malawi, and H.E. Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development of Nigeria. The roundtable was part of the SDG7 Action Forum held on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, which focused on advancing the global energy transition while prioritizing the needs and priorities of the Global South.

During the roundtable, AMSG proudly announced its commitment to joining the Council for Critical Minerals Development in the Global South, an initiative of Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), the Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Davis, and Swaniti Global. This partnership aims to strengthen African governments’ efforts to leverage their critical mineral resources to build local value chains for energy transition technologies. The collaboration will not only help drive industrialization across the continent but will also create jobs and boost economic diversification in line with Africa’s development goals.

Key Points of the Announcement:

·       Strengthening Local Value Chains: AMSG, in partnership with the Council, will work to build local value chains in Africa for key energy transition technologies, such as those used in electric vehicles, solar energy, and batteries. This will enhance Africa’s role in the energy transition while ensuring that the benefits of these resources are felt locally, particularly for communities that are often left behind.

·       Job Creation & Industrialization: The partnership will focus on creating sustainable jobs and fostering industrial growth by enhancing Africa’s capacity to process and add value to its mineral resources, rather than simply exporting raw materials.

·       Commitment to Benefit Sharing & Economic Diversification: The announcement came on the heels of the launch of the UN Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals report. This report emphasizes the importance of benefit sharing, value addition, and economic diversification—principles that AMSG and the Council will support in the development of local supply chains.

·       Global Advocacy & Multilateral Cooperation: AMSG and the Council will collaborate to amplify the voices of the Global South on international platforms, including COP and the G20. They will advocate for just and inclusive supply chains, ensuring that Africa’s mineral resources contribute to equitable benefits for local communities, particularly those most directly impacted by the energy transition.

This collaboration between AMSG and the Council for Critical Minerals Development represents a significant step towards ensuring that Africa’s mineral wealth plays a central role in the global energy transition while promoting inclusive, sustainable growth across the continent.

The Road Ahead: Through this partnership, AMSG and the Council will provide state-of-the-art data and analytics, strengthen capacity-building efforts, facilitate collaborative partnerships, and ensure the African voice is heard at critical international negotiations. By building just and equitable supply chains, this initiative will empower African countries to take ownership of their mineral resources and ensure that they benefit from the global shift towards renewable energy.

AMSG remains committed to advancing mineral value addition in Africa, driving the continent’s industrialization, and ensuring that Africa’s role in the global energy transition is one that benefits all.

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