Articles
2 min read
September 2025
by Nikole Read
Africa’s Shift: From Resource Supplier to Value Creator
Africa fuels the global economy. Its minerals drive advanced technology, its oil and gas energize industries, and its young population represents the next wave of global talent and innovation. Yet, while the world runs on Africa, the continent continues to run on hope.
Africa’s GDP is projected to reach $3.32 trillion by 2026—growing, but still modest compared to its potential. Much of the continent’s wealth leaves long before it creates value at home. The result: weakened industries, limited jobs, and economies that remain vulnerable to global market fluctuations.
This system must transform. And Africa can lead that transformation.
The Path to a Value-Driven Africa
Build Local Processing and Manufacturing
Africa exports raw minerals, then pays a premium to import finished goods.
To reverse this:
Develop refineries, battery and tech manufacturing plants
Incentivise local and regional industrial zones
Strengthen supply chain logistics—roads, power, ports
This ensures that the continent captures the value created from its own resources.
Invest in Infrastructure for Development
Underinvestment in transportation, energy, and digital systems slows growth.
Africa needs:
Reliable electricity for industry
Intra-African rail and highways to reduce trade costs
Universal broadband for the digital economy
Infrastructure is not a cost — it is the foundation of prosperity.
Empower the Workforce of the Future
Africa has the world’s youngest population — a competitive advantage if mobilized:
Technical and vocational training in mining, manufacturing, clean tech
Entrepreneurship and startup ecosystems
Public–private partnerships with universities and industries
Jobs shouldn’t simply be created — skills should create industries.
Reform Trade: From Extraction to Fair Participation
Africa must negotiate from strength, not desperation:
Fair pricing and transparency in mineral contracts
Regional integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
Reducing dependency on exporting to single powers
Africa’s resources should uplift its people first.
Harness the Clean Energy Advantage
The world’s green transition depends on Africa:
Cobalt, lithium, and rare earths for EVs and batteries
Solar, wind, and hydro potential among the highest globally
Africa can become the global engine of renewable technology — not just its supplier.
Strategic Partnerships, Not New Colonization
Collaboration must shift toward:
Technology transfer
Shared ownership in industries
Transparent accountability and long-term impact
Partnerships should strengthen African institutions and innovation — not extract profit alone.
The SDG Blueprint for Transformation
Five global goals directly support this vision:
SDG 7: Clean energy that creates local wealth
SDG 8: Decent work through fair value chains
SDG 9: Industrialization and innovation at home
SDG 10: Reduced inequality by returning fair profits
SDG 17: Partnerships built on accountability
These are not just goals—they are the business case for Africa’s future.
Conclusion
Africa holds the keys to the world’s clean future. To unlock its own future, the continent must own the value it creates.
The next decade presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity:
move from being the world’s resource backbone to being its innovation engine.
Africa does not need charity.
Africa needs investment, industry, and the power to lead its own growth.
September 2025
by Nikole Read
Africa’s Shift: From Resource Supplier to Value Creator
Africa fuels the global economy. Its minerals drive advanced technology, its oil and gas energize industries, and its young population represents the next wave of global talent and innovation. Yet, while the world runs on Africa, the continent continues to run on hope.
Africa’s GDP is projected to reach $3.32 trillion by 2026—growing, but still modest compared to its potential. Much of the continent’s wealth leaves long before it creates value at home. The result: weakened industries, limited jobs, and economies that remain vulnerable to global market fluctuations.
This system must transform. And Africa can lead that transformation.
The Path to a Value-Driven Africa
Build Local Processing and Manufacturing
Africa exports raw minerals, then pays a premium to import finished goods.
To reverse this:
Develop refineries, battery and tech manufacturing plants
Incentivise local and regional industrial zones
Strengthen supply chain logistics—roads, power, ports
This ensures that the continent captures the value created from its own resources.
Invest in Infrastructure for Development
Underinvestment in transportation, energy, and digital systems slows growth.
Africa needs:
Reliable electricity for industry
Intra-African rail and highways to reduce trade costs
Universal broadband for the digital economy
Infrastructure is not a cost — it is the foundation of prosperity.
Empower the Workforce of the Future
Africa has the world’s youngest population — a competitive advantage if mobilized:
Technical and vocational training in mining, manufacturing, clean tech
Entrepreneurship and startup ecosystems
Public–private partnerships with universities and industries
Jobs shouldn’t simply be created — skills should create industries.
Reform Trade: From Extraction to Fair Participation
Africa must negotiate from strength, not desperation:
Fair pricing and transparency in mineral contracts
Regional integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
Reducing dependency on exporting to single powers
Africa’s resources should uplift its people first.
Harness the Clean Energy Advantage
The world’s green transition depends on Africa:
Cobalt, lithium, and rare earths for EVs and batteries
Solar, wind, and hydro potential among the highest globally
Africa can become the global engine of renewable technology — not just its supplier.
Strategic Partnerships, Not New Colonization
Collaboration must shift toward:
Technology transfer
Shared ownership in industries
Transparent accountability and long-term impact
Partnerships should strengthen African institutions and innovation — not extract profit alone.
The SDG Blueprint for Transformation
Five global goals directly support this vision:
SDG 7: Clean energy that creates local wealth
SDG 8: Decent work through fair value chains
SDG 9: Industrialization and innovation at home
SDG 10: Reduced inequality by returning fair profits
SDG 17: Partnerships built on accountability
These are not just goals—they are the business case for Africa’s future.
Conclusion
Africa holds the keys to the world’s clean future. To unlock its own future, the continent must own the value it creates.
The next decade presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity:
move from being the world’s resource backbone to being its innovation engine.
Africa does not need charity.
Africa needs investment, industry, and the power to lead its own growth.
September 2025
by Nikole Read
Africa’s Shift: From Resource Supplier to Value Creator
Africa fuels the global economy. Its minerals drive advanced technology, its oil and gas energize industries, and its young population represents the next wave of global talent and innovation. Yet, while the world runs on Africa, the continent continues to run on hope.
Africa’s GDP is projected to reach $3.32 trillion by 2026—growing, but still modest compared to its potential. Much of the continent’s wealth leaves long before it creates value at home. The result: weakened industries, limited jobs, and economies that remain vulnerable to global market fluctuations.
This system must transform. And Africa can lead that transformation.
The Path to a Value-Driven Africa
Build Local Processing and Manufacturing
Africa exports raw minerals, then pays a premium to import finished goods.
To reverse this:
Develop refineries, battery and tech manufacturing plants
Incentivise local and regional industrial zones
Strengthen supply chain logistics—roads, power, ports
This ensures that the continent captures the value created from its own resources.
Invest in Infrastructure for Development
Underinvestment in transportation, energy, and digital systems slows growth.
Africa needs:
Reliable electricity for industry
Intra-African rail and highways to reduce trade costs
Universal broadband for the digital economy
Infrastructure is not a cost — it is the foundation of prosperity.
Empower the Workforce of the Future
Africa has the world’s youngest population — a competitive advantage if mobilized:
Technical and vocational training in mining, manufacturing, clean tech
Entrepreneurship and startup ecosystems
Public–private partnerships with universities and industries
Jobs shouldn’t simply be created — skills should create industries.
Reform Trade: From Extraction to Fair Participation
Africa must negotiate from strength, not desperation:
Fair pricing and transparency in mineral contracts
Regional integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
Reducing dependency on exporting to single powers
Africa’s resources should uplift its people first.
Harness the Clean Energy Advantage
The world’s green transition depends on Africa:
Cobalt, lithium, and rare earths for EVs and batteries
Solar, wind, and hydro potential among the highest globally
Africa can become the global engine of renewable technology — not just its supplier.
Strategic Partnerships, Not New Colonization
Collaboration must shift toward:
Technology transfer
Shared ownership in industries
Transparent accountability and long-term impact
Partnerships should strengthen African institutions and innovation — not extract profit alone.
The SDG Blueprint for Transformation
Five global goals directly support this vision:
SDG 7: Clean energy that creates local wealth
SDG 8: Decent work through fair value chains
SDG 9: Industrialization and innovation at home
SDG 10: Reduced inequality by returning fair profits
SDG 17: Partnerships built on accountability
These are not just goals—they are the business case for Africa’s future.
Conclusion
Africa holds the keys to the world’s clean future. To unlock its own future, the continent must own the value it creates.
The next decade presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity:
move from being the world’s resource backbone to being its innovation engine.
Africa does not need charity.
Africa needs investment, industry, and the power to lead its own growth.