East African Mining News Unearthing Mining Opportunities in East Africa
Related Articles
A new geopolitical battleground has emerged in Africa, as global powers jostle for access to the continent’s vast reserves of “green” minerals, vital for the burgeoning renewable energy and digital industries. A groundbreaking report by the African Policy Research Institute (APRI), “Mapping Africa’s Green Mineral Partnerships,” reveals a complex web of bilateral and multilateral agreements, often shrouded in secrecy, as nations scramble to secure their supply chains.
The report, released this week, paints a picture of a continent at the centre of a global power play. With demand for minerals like cobalt, lithium, and copper skyrocketing, driven by the shift towards electric vehicles and renewable energy, Africa’s rich mineral endowment has become a strategic asset.
A Shadowy Landscape of Deals
APRI’s investigation, which involved scouring numerous databases and search engines, uncovered nearly a hundred agreements between African states and global actors. However, many of these deals are shrouded in opacity, with limited public access to their terms. This lack of transparency, the report argues, raises crucial questions about accountability and the potential for exploitation.
“These agreements, despite their importance, are often opaque, with limited public accessibility to allow for comparative analyses,” the report states. “This transparency is crucial not only for economic clarity but also from public, democratic, and human rights perspectives, ensuring that these agreements align with broader societal interests.”
China and Russia Lead the Charge
The report highlights the prominent roles of China and Russia in securing mineral partnerships with African nations. These countries, often perceived as having fewer qualms about environmental or social safeguards, have been particularly aggressive in forging alliances. In contrast, traditional mining powers like Australia and Canada have been surprisingly slow to engage.
“The analysis underscores the prominent roles of global actors like China and Russia, in contrast with the relative scarcity of agreements involving traditional mining powers such as Australia and Canada,” the report notes.
A Realpolitik of Resource Extraction
The report also reveals the “realpolitik” of critical mineral extraction in Africa. Countries are increasingly viewing their critical mineral supply chains not just in terms of global competitiveness or even global responsibility to decarbonise, but as an issue affecting national security. The urgency with which critical minerals are pursued raises important questions about how it will affect Africa’s agency in governing the extraction of these resources in the future.
“The urgency with which critical minerals are pursued raises important questions about how it will affect Africa’s agency in governing the extraction of these resources in the future,” the report warns.
A Varied Landscape of Agreements
The nature of these agreements varies significantly. Some emphasize direct state cooperation and the allocation of state funds, while others focus on fostering an enabling environment for private sector investment – a strategy that may lead to slower tangible results. Some agreements prioritize the inclusion of social and environmental standards, while others omit these considerations.
The report also highlights the strategic calculations behind these partnerships. Historical ties, trade terms, and cross-sector cooperation all play a role in determining which countries forge alliances. For example, the United Kingdom has focused on Commonwealth nations, while Russia’s partnerships reflect its historical relationships from the Cold War era.
A Call for Transparency and Accountability
APRI’s report concludes with a call for greater transparency and accessibility in these agreements. This is crucial, the report argues, to ensure that they align with broader societal interests and to prevent Africa from being exploited in the rush for green minerals.
“The analysis also reveals the realpolitik of critical mineral extraction in Africa. Countries are increasingly viewing their critical mineral supply chains not just in terms of global competitiveness or even global responsibility to decarbonise, but as an issue affecting national security,” the report states. “The urgency with which critical minerals are pursued raises important questions about how it will affect Africa’s agency in governing the extraction of these resources in the future.”
The report serves as a timely reminder of the growing importance of Africa’s mineral wealth and the need for a more transparent and equitable approach to resource extraction. As the world transitions to a greener future, the continent’s role in shaping that future will be increasingly significant.
