THE ENERGY TRANSITION AND THE AFRICAN MINING INDUSTRY

Abstract

The African continent has a potential of minerals resources especially the minerals critical such as copper, rare earths, lithium, nickel, graphite, cobalt and manganese. But these minerals play an important role in the energy transition.These strategic mineral resources are widely used in numerous technologies related to the energy transition, such as the digital revolution, renewable energies, wind power, electrical equipment and motors, nuclear energy, and the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries. As these technologies require substantial critical mineral resources, both in terms of quality and quantity.
The global critical minerals supply is dominated by the great powers particularly China, United States, Canada and Australia.The latter which are looking for a new source of critical mineral supply to sustain worldwide demand for mineral strategic. Therefore, Africa is at the center of geopolitical conflicts regarding the global supply of critical minerals. For this reason, Africa will be able to consolidate its position in the global critical minerals market.
However, the challenges for this continent lie in national economic sovereignty, the stimulation of local processing through industrialization, to create more value added in mining production chains. Furthermore, the reduction of minerals gross export is also essential. In fact, African governments should engage in legal and fiscal adjustments within the extractive sector, invest in infrastructure development to support mining industrialization, strengthen human capital training, and implement robust diplomacy. The objective is increase mining financing and to find more advantageous trade relations for countries dependent on mining resources.