Africa Urged To Boost Mineral Market Power

The Executive Director of Women in Mining Africa, WiM-Africa, Dr. Comfort Asokoro-Ogaji, has called on African countries to bolster their mineral market intelligence, processing capacity, and financial systems. This call was made at the Shanghai Metals Expo 2026 during a roundtable discussion on Eastern Pricing 2.0. Asokoro-Ogaji emphasized that Africa's abundant deposits of critical minerals have not translated into corresponding influence over international markets that determine their commercial value.

Despite being a major supplier of strategic minerals for manufacturing, infrastructure, and the global energy transition, Africa's bargaining position is affected by inadequate processing facilities, limited market information, and weak access to finance. Asokoro-Ogaji noted that the actual value of minerals depends not only on international price benchmarks but also on product quality, mineral grades, processing costs, transportation, contract terms, and producers' negotiating capacity.

To enable local producers to negotiate better prices and compete effectively in international markets, African countries must prioritize reliable mineral testing, standardization, traceability, and access to credible market information. Asokoro-Ogaji identified five critical areas requiring attention: improved mineral market intelligence, investment in testing and certification, expansion of local processing and regional value chains, stronger connections between producers and commodity markets, and inclusive participation in the mining industry.

Increasing women's participation in the mineral value chain is also crucial, as many women engaged in mining, processing, and mineral trading face difficulties accessing finance, equipment, technical expertise, and formal markets. WiM-Africa is working with strategic partners, including Shanghai Metals Market, to connect women-led mining enterprises with market intelligence, industrial networks, research institutions, technology, and commercial opportunities.

Asokoro-Ogaji urged African countries to deepen partnerships with China beyond mineral purchases, particularly in processing technology, laboratory development, professional training, responsible sourcing, investment, and direct access to international buyers. While acknowledging the growing influence of Asian markets in global metals trading and price discovery, Asokoro-Ogaji maintained that Africa's objective should be to develop the capacity to participate meaningfully in determining mineral value rather than merely supplying raw materials.

Stronger institutions, competitive businesses, regional cooperation, and access to financial instruments will be essential to translating Africa's mineral resources into industrial growth and sustainable economic prosperity. Asokoro-Ogaji concluded that Africa's mineral wealth must be matched with market power, stressing that possession of natural resources alone cannot guarantee economic development without the capacity to influence the systems through which their value is determined.

The WiM-Africa Executive Director emphasized that Africa must develop the capacity to participate meaningfully in determining mineral value. This can be achieved by strengthening mineral market intelligence, processing capacity, and financial systems, and by increasing women's participation in the mineral value chain. By doing so, Africa can gain greater influence over global metals pricing and translate its mineral resources into industrial growth and sustainable economic prosperity.

Key points

• African countries must prioritize reliable mineral testing, standardization, traceability, and access to credible market information.
• Increasing women's participation in the mineral value chain is crucial for Africa's economic development.
• Africa must develop the capacity to participate meaningfully in determining mineral value rather than merely supplying raw materials.