Unlocking Africa’s Potential: Expert Group Meeting on Critical Minerals and Trade Policy
The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is convening an Expert Group Meeting to consult on Africa’s Critical Minerals in the context of the Trade Policy. This meeting brings together leading researchers, experts, policymakers, and practitioners to explore the potential role of the trade policy, including regional and continental integration initiatives, in harnessing Africa’s vast critical mineral resources to drive sustainable industrialization and economic transformation.
While the demand for some of Africa’s minerals has gone up due to their critical role in renewable energy technologies and the green transition, advanced manufacturing, and digital transformation, realization of their immense potential to foster inclusive and sustainable development for the continent is dependent on what Africa can do collectively. Regional and continental integration initiatives such as Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) provide a unique opportunity to enable the kind of collective action that is necessary for Africa to ensure the demand for its resources this time will leave a lasting developmental legacy for its citizens.
This meeting will address, among others:
- the current scramble for Africa’s natural resources in light of past experiences and intellectual debates;
- recent academic discussions and policy and legislative actions;
- Africa’s readiness to protect its interests;
- the potential role of trade policy, including regional and continental integration, to help translate Africa’s vision to use its natural resources as a springboard for industrialization and economic diversification;
- the enabling factors and challenges to unleash the power of regional and continental integration in this area; and
- issues and proposed approaches for future research and analysis
The outcomes of this meeting aim to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders, ensuring that Africa’s critical minerals benefit the continent’s people while fostering resilient and inclusive economies.
Stay connected with ECA’s work on Africa’s critical minerals and join the conversation shaping the continent’s future.