The scramble by global competitors for critical mineral resources, including cobalt, lithium, graphite and rare earths in Africa has intensified, says Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
A statement released by ECA on Friday stated that Gatete made the remark at the inaugural event of the African Legal Support Facility in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire under the theme “Resourcing the ALSF to Empower Africa’s Sustainable Development.”
These minerals are indispensable for a green and digital transition, said Gatate, emphasising that there must be fair agreements between African governments and the global competitors as they set out to exploit the resources.
“While the world sees Africa’s mineral wealth, is there equal recognition of our ability to negotiate fair value?,” the statement quoted Gatete as raising the question.
He said it is no secret that many African countries continue to sign contracts they do not fully understand, with terms that mortgage the future for short-term gains.
They sign the agreements in different circumstances whereby legal capacity remains uneven, technical expertise is often absent, and negotiation teams are frequently outmatched.
It is based on this background that the African Legal Support Facility (ALSF) was established.
“ALSF provides African governments with the legal and institutional muscle to navigate a complex global economy,” Gatete noted.
According to the executive secretary, it is commendable that the ALSF has supported governments to renegotiate natural resource contracts, audit mining laws and strengthen governance in extractive sectors.
“From Guinea to Niger, Lesotho to ALSF will contribute to the Africa Mining Vision and the newly adopted African Green Minerals Strategy, placing governance, equity and beneficiation at the core of Africa’s resource development,” he added.
Gatete recommended that Africa must establish a sustainable financing framework for the ALSF as the current model, which is heavily reliant on donors, is not viable. He said member states should increase their contributions as a declaration of ownership.
MG/as/APA