Critical Raw Materials and Supply Chain Warfare: Africa’s Role

Prof. Moghalu invoked the persistent conundrum that has faced Africa for decades: why have its natural resources not translated into broad-based prosperity, as has been the case in countries like Norway or the Gulf States? He argued that part of the answer lies in the pervasive mindset that governs resource management on the continent—one often shaped by a “gatekeeper” mentality that privileges elites and perpetuates corruption at the expense of long-term, people centered development.

Moghalu stressed the need for a fundamental mindset shift and the institutionalization of transparent governance mechanisms. Rather than fixating solely on raw material extraction, Africa must focus on beneficiation and the creation of economic complexity—transforming its role from a passive supplier of raw materials into an engine of value-added, competitive production.

Dr. Zerbo Lassina expanded the debate by emphasizing the strategic—rather than purely economic—importance of critical raw materials. These materials are now foundational to national and continental security, driving not only economic growth but also technological sovereignty and defense capabilities. The COVID-19 pandemic, supply shocks, and geopolitical realignments, such as the war in Ukraine, have laid bare Africa’s vulnerabilities: when global supply chains were disrupted, Africa found itself unable to rely on external partners or even its own institutions for essential goods. Lassina called for a shift from being a passive supplier to becoming a strategic actor—proactively engaging with global supply chain dynamics, building local and regional refinery capacity, and fostering education so African leaders can negotiate and manage resources on more equitable and informed terms.

He highlighted the necessity of local and regional collaboration, such as cross-border investments. These steps, Lassina argued, are essential for retaining value on the continent and securing true sovereignty. Stronger governance, knowledge transfer, and transparent institutions are prerequisites for Africa to escape cycles of externally dictated deals and to leverage initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area for collective bargaining and industrialization.

Dr. Andrey Maslov’s intervention shifted the focus further downstream, drawing attention to rapidly evolving patterns of global demand particularly the consumption of critical minerals by AI and digital infrastructure. He observed that current trends, such as the ever-growing energy demands of AI data centers, pose new challenges and risks. For example, Africa’s energy capacity is now subject to global competition, with significant portions being diverted to power data centers and cryptocurrency mining rather than meeting local needs.

Maslov raised a critical question: is free trade always in Africa’s interest, especially when global powers are racing to stockpile minerals not for immediate industrial use but to prevent adversaries from accessing them? He warned that unless energy and mineral resources are deliberately channeled towards domestic industrial and social development, Africa could find itself repeating past mistakes extracting and exporting commodities today, only to become dependent on imports when its own industrial revolution eventually takes off.

Dr. Kaberuka reinforced the point that global capital is not as scarce as often assumed; rather, the challenge is to create environments that attract investment. With savings surging in advanced economies and investors seeking returns amid low yields at home, Africa has a window of opportunity to secure the financing necessary for industrial transformation— provided it demonstrates policy stability and strategic, collaborative investments. As he noted, no country has prospered without making significant investments in infrastructure and industrial capacity, even if such investments are initially costly and controversial.