An African miner working in a dusty open-pit mine, extracting lithium ore destined for global energy markets, highlighting the lack of local mineral processing.

We Dig, They Win: How Africa’s Raw Mineral Exports and Currency Chaos Are Undermining a Just Transition

Every day, truckloads of lithium, cobalt, and manganese leave African soil headed for China, Europe, and North America. These are the building blocks of the energy transition—used in solar panels,…
African miner working at a dusty site extracting critical minerals like cobalt and manganese.

Africa Can’t Afford Another Raw Deal: Why Value Addition Must Power the Green Transition

The African Development Bank (AfDB) recently sent a clear message: Africa must stop exporting raw critical minerals and start building local value chains. As someone deeply involved in the continent’s…
Fossil Fuel Freedom: Why Nigeria Must Ditch Oil to Secure Its Future

Fossil Fuel Freedom: Why Nigeria Must Ditch Oil to Secure Its Future

In the heart of Lagos, the rhythmic hum of generators underscores a national narrative: Nigeria's deep-rooted dependence on oil. For decades, this black gold has been the cornerstone of our…
Batteries for the West, Burdens for Africa: The Cost of Green Minerals

Batteries for the West, Burdens for Africa: The Cost of Green Minerals

As the world accelerates toward a net-zero future, Africa is rapidly becoming the ground zero for green energy’s raw materials. Cobalt from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Lithium from…