African Coalition Urges Fair Energy Transition to Boost Economic Growth
In a newly published report titled “The Obstacles and Opportunities Linked to the Energy Transition,” Afrewatch and Global Witness, united under the African Coalition on Green Minerals (CAMV), have called for a fair and equitable energy transition to stimulate economic growth in Africa.
This call was made during a press conference in Lubumbashi, the capital of Haut-Katanga province, following a workshop held from June 10 to 11, 2024. The workshop aimed to identify the obstacles and opportunities facing African countries that produce critical minerals.
Members of the CAMV emphasized that Africa, which holds between 20% and 90% of the world’s reserves of 11 essential minerals for the energy transition, must ensure that investments in green energy drive economic growth on the continent.
“African governments must leverage mineral resources to support growth, development, industrialization, and job creation by fully developing cross-sectoral linkages,” stated the coalition members, highlighting the negative impacts suffered by local communities due to industrial mining.
While the energy transition is central to global discussions about the future, CAMV pointed out that African countries lack a clear vision and strategy for exploiting transition minerals, such as cobalt and chromium, despite the existence of the African Mining Vision.
Key Issues in the Energy Transition
The report criticized the inequitable distribution of mining benefits between the Global South and the Global North. According to CAMV members, African countries, rich in natural resources, receive a disproportionately small share of the added value generated by transition minerals. In contrast, developed countries, which dominate processing and manufacturing industries, reap greater benefits.
In response to these challenges, the coalition recommended that African governments, particularly the DRC, capitalize on the current focus on strategic minerals to build regional and continental value chains.
They also suggested developing local industries for producing components for batteries, electric vehicles, and renewable energy equipment, gradually increasing local content.
The report, a collaboration between African Resources Watch (AFREWATCH) and Global Witness (GW), analyzes the key issues of the energy transition in Africa and offers recommendations for the responsible exploitation of green minerals in Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
