On October 26, 2026, Gambia's Minister of Petroleum, Energy and Mines, Hon. Nani Juwara, addressed the 18th General Assembly of the Organisation of African Geological Surveys (OAGS) in The Gambia. He emphasized that African countries must end their dependence on exporting raw minerals and importing finished products. This approach, he argued, would enable the continent to capture greater economic value from its natural resources, accelerate industrialization, and create jobs.
Minister Juwara highlighted that Africa possesses significant deposits of minerals, including copper, manganese, lithium, bauxite, and rare earth elements. However, many countries continue to export raw materials without capturing enough of the value generated from their exploitation. He stressed that this approach must change if African countries are to use their natural resources to achieve meaningful economic transformation.
The Minister emphasized that Africa must move beyond extracting minerals for export and prioritize local processing, manufacturing, technology transfer, skills development, and stronger regional value chains. These measures, he argued, would help create employment, diversify national economies, and ensure that mineral wealth contributes more directly to the livelihoods of African citizens.
The global transition towards cleaner energy has increased demand for critical minerals, creating new opportunities for resource-rich African countries. However, Minister Juwara cautioned that the continent must ensure that the energy transition does not simply replace one form of raw material export with another while leaving the most valuable stages of production elsewhere.
Minister Juwara maintained that Africa needs to strengthen its ability to participate across the mineral value chain rather than remain primarily a supplier of raw materials to international markets. He stressed that the development of a modern mineral economy depends on strong geological institutions capable of providing accurate scientific information to guide national planning and investment.
The Minister called for increased investment in modern geological mapping, geochemical services, digital geological databases, and accessible scientific information to improve the continent's understanding of its natural resources. He also emphasized the need to develop skilled African professionals, including geologists, geophysicists, chemists, hydrologists, mining specialists, and environmental scientists.
The 18th OAGS General Assembly, hosted by The Gambia for the first time, provides a platform for geological institutions to share expertise and explore ways of strengthening the management and development of the continent's mineral resources. Minister Juwara's message was that Africa's mineral wealth should not be measured solely by what lies beneath its soil, but also by the jobs, industries, skills, and economic opportunities that countries can build around those resources.
Key points
- African countries must prioritize local processing and manufacturing of natural resources to boost economies and create jobs.
- The global transition to cleaner energy presents opportunities for African countries to develop their mineral resources sustainably.
- Strengthening geological institutions and developing skilled African professionals are crucial for the development of a modern mineral economy.
