In the 21st century, the global race for critical minerals has become as defining as the oil booms of the previous century. Rare earths and other essential elements – from lithium to cobalt and graphite – underpin not only the world’s technological infrastructure but also its transition to green energy and advanced defense systems. As nations scramble to secure their future supply chains, Africa stands at the center of this global competition, endowed with an abundance of the minerals that will shape the next industrial revolution.

However, the story of resource wealth in Africa has too often been one of exploitation rather than empowerment. The continent’s critical minerals could either cement its place as an economic powerhouse or entrench old patterns of dependency and instability. Whether Africa’s mineral bounty becomes a blessing or a curse will depend on the political choices made today.

Critical minerals are indispensable for manufacturing computer chips, batteries, wind turbines, electric vehicles, and precision-guided weapons. As the world accelerates toward digitalization and decarbonization, demand for these minerals is expected to soar – with lithium demand alone projected to rise by as much as 1,500 percent by 2050.

Africa, holding roughly a third of the world’s known reserves, finds itself in a pivotal position. It boasts 80 percent of global platinum and chromium reserves, nearly half of the world’s cobalt, 21 percent of its graphite, and significant deposits of rare earths like monazite and scandium. These resources could make Africa a cornerstone of the global green economy.

Yet, the global critical........

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