Africa is now positioning itself as an essential player in the global energy transition. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Namibia, and Tanzania have announced the formation of a strategic alliance aimed at coordinating the production and export of critical minerals at the heart of contemporary technologies: electric batteries, semiconductors, renewable energy, armaments, and artificial intelligence.
This agreement marks a significant milestone for the continent. The DRC alone holds over 60% of the world's cobalt reserves, while Namibia and Tanzania possess significant deposits of lithium and rare earths. Until now, these resources have been exploited in a fragmented manner, often to the benefit of foreign actors imposing their own market conditions. The ambition of this new alliance is clear: to regain control of the value chain and negotiate collectively with major industrial powers.
In a context where China largely dominates the processing of strategic minerals, this initiative sends a strong message. The three countries aim to impose new requirements: increased local value addition, enhanced refining capacity on the continent, and the establishment of more balanced contracts with major tech companies. This coordination also seeks to reduce price fluctuations and stabilize national revenues.
Analysts praise this pragmatic approach. By banding together, these countries strengthen their bargaining power against the United States, the European Union, and China, all engaged in fierce competition to secure the resources needed for the energy transition. This alliance could thus reshape the global routes for the supply of critical minerals.
For African states, the stakes go beyond the economy. It is about transforming a natural wealth into real geopolitical power. The development of local industries, the creation of skilled jobs, and the integration of regional value chains are among the stated goals. If the alliance can maintain strong governance and sustainable coordination, it could become a model for other regions of the continent.
The agreement thus opens a new chapter: that of a continent asserting its mining sovereignty and seeking to redefine its place in the strategic competition for critical minerals. A significant turning point that could sustainably influence global economic and technological balances.
