By: Changala Chuulu & Kennedy Manduna

Intoduction

Africa sits at the centre of the global green transition, holding nearly 30% of the world’s critical minerals required for clean energy technologies. Yet history raises a pressing question: will this moment mark a transformative development opportunity, or a repeat of extractive systems that prioritise global growth over local welfare? This brief examines how the demand for energy transition minerals risks deepening long-standing development challenges if Africa is positioned merely as a global mine. It argues that a just green transition must go beyond extraction, emphasising local value addition, manufacturing, traceability, and long-term technology transfer. At this crossroads, Africa has the potential to shape a green future that supports sustainable development—if deliberate policy and investment choices are made.

Read the full brief here