by Valerie Buthelezi

In an era where global superpowers are fiercely competing for dominance in the green energy transition, Africa’s vast critical mineral wealth is emerging as a strategic asset. From Congo’s cobalt to Zimbabwe’s lithium and Guinea’s bauxite, the continent holds many of the materials essential for electric vehicles, renewable energy, and everyday smart technologies such as mobile phones. Given the increasing demand for these minerals, African nations could leverage their resources in a way like how Ukraine has tentatively been using its critical mineral deposits to secure and reaffirm Western support amid geopolitical tensions with Russia.

But can African countries truly use their mineral deposits as a bargaining chip in global diplomacy? If so, how can they ensure they extract the most value from these resources without falling into cycles of economic dependency as a peripheral region or neo-colonial exploitation?

The Global Race for Critical Minerals: A New Geopolitical Battlefield

The world is undergoing a fundamental energy transition—one that requires vast amounts of lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements. These minerals are crucial for batteries, wind turbines, solar panels, and semiconductors. China currently dominates the supply chain, controlling about 60% of global rare earth processing and 70% of the cobalt refining industry (most of which comes from Africa).

The United States and European Union are scrambling to secure alternative supply chains, pushing for agreements with African countries to reduce dependency on China. Russia, despite its isolation following the conflict with Ukraine as well as their own mineral deposits, has also taken a keen interest in these resources, especially in regions where it has historical influence on the continent. This geopolitical struggle presents African nations with a rare opportunity to negotiate better terms, assert economic sovereignty, and even extract political concessions.

Can Africa Replicate Ukraine’s Strategy?

Ukraine, despite its ongoing conflict, has positioned itself as a key player in the critical minerals race. The country has some of the world’s largest lithium and titanium reserves and has signed agreements with the European Union and United States to ensure supply security. In return, Ukraine has received and restored significant Western military and economic aid. Could African nations adopt a similar strategy—using their mineral wealth to gain political leverage, security guarantees, or better economic deals?

African countries could coordinate their bargaining strategies rather than compete for foreign investments. This could take the form of an OPEC-style minerals cartel or strengthened African Union (AU) policies on resource governance. Instead of simply exporting raw materials, African nations should insist on local refining and manufacturing industries. This would not only create jobs but also increase their leverage by controlling more of the supply chain. Nations like Zimbabwe, which banned raw lithium exports, are already setting a precedent. More countries could even use free trade agreements strategically, like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), to negotiate better deals with global powers. Just as China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) trades infrastructure for resource access, African countries could demand security guarantees, technology transfers, and infrastructure projects in exchange for mining contracts.

Lessons from the Past: Avoiding the Tragedy of the Commons

History has shown that mineral wealth can be a double-edged sword. Many African nations have fallen victim to the “resource curse”—where wealth from natural resources leads to corruption, conflict, and economic stagnation. To avoid this, African countries must learn from past mistakes and implement policies that ensure principles of transparency and accountability throughout the entire life cycle of the mines. This can be affected through the development of sustainable mining practices that ensure the wellbeing of the environment and society whilst enhancing and stimulating a diverse economy.

The coming decades will see an unprecedented global scramble for critical minerals—and Africa holds some of the world’s largest reserves. But success will depend on political will, regional cooperation, and strong governance. If leaders rise to the occasion, Africa could redefine its role in global geopolitics—not as a passive resource provider, but as an active power broker in the new energy economy.

The question now is: Will African leaders take control of their destiny—or will they let history repeat itself?