African Union Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, Francisca Tatchououp Belobe, has urged African nations to place value addition and industrial development at the heart of their mineral resource strategies, in a push to fully harness the continent’s mineral wealth.

Speaking at the Mining in Motion Conference on Monday, October 19, Ms Belobe emphasised the need for African countries to assert greater ownership over their mineral development priorities. She called on leaders to ensure that the exploitation of Africa’s abundant resources drives inclusive economic growth and strengthens regional value chains.

“Africa must strengthen its agency to define its own mineral development agenda. In a time when major economies are developing critical mineral structures around their industrial priorities, Africa must define its own priorities,” Ms Belobe stated. She stressed that the continent must not only own its mineral resources, but also shape the narrative and partnerships that determine how these resources contribute to its development.

Ms Belobe highlighted the African Union’s Green Minerals Strategy, adopted in 2025, as a central tool for achieving these goals. The strategy places African industrialisation, energy security, and regional value chains at the core of mineral policy across the continent.

However, she cautioned that these ambitions must be matched by real investment and action. “Stronger continental leadership and a clear focus on value addition will be essential to ensuring that Africa’s mineral resources contribute more directly to its industrial growth and economic transformation,” she concluded.