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Nairobi, Kenya — September 5, 2023 — The African Minerals Development Center (AMDC), in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Open Society Foundation, has successfully concluded a high-level dialogue session at the Africa Climate Summit 2023. This significant event, held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya, brought together experts, policymakers, and thought leaders to delve into the potential of “Africa’s Green Minerals Strategy” (AGMS) in transforming the continent’s minerals-based industrialization.
The session, moderated by Titus Gwemende, Division Director – Equity, Open Society Foundation, featured presentations and discussions from distinguished speakers who shared insights into the strategic foundation and importance of the AGMS.
Paul Jourdan, an independent Consultant, underscored the AGMS’s essential pillars, emphasizing its alignment with key frameworks such as the Africa Mining Vision (AU 2009), the Africa Commodity Strategy (AU 2021), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Additionally, he highlighted the interconnectedness of AGMS with various continental policies, strategies, and regional mineral strategies.
Jourdan elucidated on the primary “green” minerals central to AGMS, which encompass Aluminium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Graphite, Iron – steel, Lithium, Manganese, Nickel, Platinum Group Metals (PGMs), Rare earth elements (REEs), Vanadium, and Zinc. He also proposed vital instruments for the implementation of the AGMS, including the Green MSC Local-African Content (LAC) System and the AfCFTA Configured Green Mineral Value Chains (MVCs) Common External Tariff (CET).
Chiumya Chiza Charles, Acting Director for Industry, Minerals, Entrepreneurship, and Tourism at the African Union Commission (AUC), stressed the need for a practical approach to resource-based industrialization, outlining the importance of a clear vision for Africa’s mineral wealth utilization. He emphasized the role of the AGMS in fostering policy coherence within the AfCFTA and the intention to reinforce the AMDC with a dedicated Green Minerals section.
Dr. Marit Y. Kitaw, Interim Director of AMDC, highlighted Africa’s substantial mineral reserves, including critical resources like chromium, cobalt, and manganese. She expressed optimism that AGMS could leverage these resources for the benefit of African citizens while aligning with the Africa Mining Vision. Dr. Kitaw noted that the Africa Climate Summit 2023 served as a catalyst for a renewed, resolute, and unified African vision, centered on climate resilience, fair development, and a just energy transition. She called upon member states to ratify the AMDC statute to facilitate the implementation of AGMS and related strategies.
Antonio Pedro, Acting Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), discussed AGMS’s focus on strengthening Africa’s capacity for resource identification through geological surveys.
Prof. Kevin Chika Urama, Chief Economist & VP at the African Development Bank (AfDB), emphasized the importance of ownership and access to markets. He emphasized the need for informed policies to avoid the export of raw materials and promote value addition and market creation, particularly among Africa’s talented youth.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Urama highlighted the urgency of redefining Africa’s natural resource usage, citing AGMS as a pivotal step in this direction.
Dr. Marit then made an announcement on the ”Launch of the Africa Green Minerals Strategy”.
She also informed the plenary that the draft of Africa’s Green Minerals Strategy will be considered by African countries’ Senior Officials and Ministers during the 4th Ordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee of Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals under the theme: “Enhancing Africa’s Trade Competitiveness through Industrial and Mineral Resources Development and Tourism” to be held from 2nd – 7th October 2023 in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.
The high-level dialogue at the Africa Climate Summit 2023 provided a platform for fruitful discussions on Africa’s Green Minerals Strategy and its potential to drive sustainable development and industrialization across the continent.
