African Union Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, Francisca Tatchouop Belobe, has called on African countries to take control of the narrative surrounding their mineral resources and define their own development priorities rather than allow external interests to shape the continent’s mineral agenda.
She said Africa must go beyond owning its mineral resources to determining how they are developed, processed and used to drive industrialisation, economic growth and prosperity for its people.
Speaking at the African Minerals Policy Forum – Mining in Motion 2026 (AMPF–MiM 2026) in Accra, Madam Belobe said the continent continued to struggle to translate its immense mineral wealth into industrial development and economic benefits for its citizens.
“Africa must not only own its mineral resources. It must also own its own narrative around its mineral resources. It must define the priorities and shape the partnership that determines how these resources contribute to its inclusive development,” she said.
She argued that Africa needed to strengthen its capacity to determine its mineral development agenda at a time when major economies were developing critical minerals strategies to serve their own industrial priorities.
According to her, African countries must establish their own priorities and partnerships to ensure that the exploitation of their mineral resources supports inclusive development across the continent.
Madam Belobe identified policy fragmentation among African countries as a major challenge, noting that while other countries were developing industries around Africa’s mineral resources, the continent continued to export much of its wealth in raw form.
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“Because while countries are building on the minerals we are just exporting. While countries are planning on Africa’s minerals, we are still divided in our policies and strategies. Let us speak with one voice so that we can leverage our union towards the world,” she said.
She called for stronger continental coordination to enable African countries to negotiate more effectively with international partners and maximise the economic benefits of their mineral resources.
The Commissioner also highlighted the African Green Minerals Strategy, adopted in 2025, as an instrument for advancing the continent’s mineral development ambitions.
She said the strategy places African industry, energy security and regional value chains at the centre of mineral development priorities, but stressed the need to translate policy commitments into investment and concrete action.
Madam Belobe said Africa’s ambition should be to move beyond mineral extraction towards producing materials, accessing markets and building competitive African enterprises.
“Our ambition must be to move from minerals to materials, from materials to markets and to competitive African enterprises,” she said.
She added that the continent did not lack mineral resources or vision but needed to strengthen its capacity to set its own agenda, act collectively and develop the productive industries required to transform its mineral wealth into lasting prosperity.
“The Africa we want will not be built on mineral exports alone. It must be built on the industries, technologies and the African enterprises that our mineral wealth makes possible,” she said.
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The African Minerals Policy Forum – Mining in Motion 2026 is being held in Accra from October 19 to 21 under the theme, “One Continent. One Voice on Minerals. Aligning Africa’s Mineral Future.”
The forum brings together African policymakers, mining industry leaders, investors and development partners to discuss mineral policy coordination, local value addition and strategies to strengthen Africa’s position in global mineral supply chains.
