CERAWeek Leadership Circle Calls for African Industrialization and Investment

Africa must accelerate industrialization and attract more investment into local value chains to create jobs and capture greater economic benefits from its critical minerals, participants at the CERAWeek Leadership Circle at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 said, highlighting the need for international partners to adapt investment strategies to the continent’s conditions.

The session examined Africa’s position in changing global critical minerals supply chains amid growing competition between China, the United States and Europe. Discussions highlighted concerns that rigid environmental, social and governance requirements and slow project execution could discourage investment, while other international partners move more quickly to secure resources and develop infrastructure.

The discussion emphasized that Africa’s growing population and industrial potential require a shift from raw mineral exports toward domestic processing, manufacturing and job creation. Participants called for partnerships that support local economic development while providing investors with commercially viable opportunities.

It was noted that Africa is not like the rest of the world, it is unique and it should be looked at within that framework, pointing to the need for policies tailored to the continent’s economic and demographic realities.

Industrialization was identified as essential to increasing GDP and retaining more value from Africa’s mineral resources. The discussion also urged European investors to direct more capital toward African industries, arguing that the continent could become a major growth market alongside Asia.

The discussion also called for international partnerships to deliver mutual benefits through local employment, skills development, infrastructure investment and stronger domestic value chains.

The exchanges underscored the need to translate competition for critical minerals into investment that strengthens African industrial capacity, rather than reinforcing dependence on raw material exports.