Africa holds nearly one-third of the world’s mineral wealth, yet the continent has historically seen little benefit from its vast resources. For decades, foreign powers—from Europe to China—have extracted minerals at scale, powering their own industrial and technological growth while leaving African economies largely dependent on raw material exports. In Zambia, after almost a century of copper production, the nation’s industrial output remains limited to basic copper wires and cabling. Across the continent, between 2016 and 2022, 73% of greenfield foreign direct investment (FDI) flowed into extraction, with only 26% directed at processing and manufacturing.
A Strategic Opportunity for Africa
Rising global demand for critical minerals like copper, lithium, cobalt, and gold gives African governments leverage to change this dynamic. By retaining more stages of mineral processing domestically, countries can industrialize, create jobs, boost foreign currency earnings, and increase tax revenues. To guide these efforts, the African Union launched the African Green Minerals Strategy, promoting industrialization through local beneficiation, green technology manufacturing, and mineral-based economic transformation.
Countries like Namibia and Zambia are leading the charge, establishing policies to ensure more of their minerals are processed locally. The goal is clear: shift from raw material exporters to industrial players, capturing more value from their natural wealth.
Europe’s Critical Minerals Challenge
For Europe, the stakes are high. Historically reliant on Africa’s mining sector, European companies now face increasing competition from China, the US, and Gulf states. Yet Europe’s industries—from solar panels and electric batteries to tech and defense systems—depend on a secure supply of critical minerals. Diversifying supply chains is no longer optional; it’s a strategic necessity. China’s past export restrictions on rare earths demonstrate the geopolitical risks of overreliance. Establishing mineral processing facilities in Africa rather than Europe offers economic advantages, with up to 40% lower operational costs due to cheaper energy, labor, and land.
The EU has recognized this and signed strategic partnerships with the DRC, Namibia, Rwanda, and Zambia, encouraging mineral processing and local value addition. Despite these agreements, European involvement in on-the-ground value addition remains limited, mostly providing mining equipment and services rather than full-scale processing operations. To secure reliable mineral supplies, European firms must invest more heavily and collaborate closely with African counterparts.
Unlocking Local Value Addition
Local value addition transforms raw minerals like copper, lithium, and cobalt into intermediate and final products, such as battery precursors and electric vehicle components. Doing so requires specialized technology, skilled labor, and infrastructure, as well as a stable business environment. While Namibia and Zambia have some capabilities—like smelting and limited refining—their industrial ecosystems are still developing.
Zambia, for instance, produces copper anodes and cathodes and manufactures wiring for domestic and regional markets. Efforts to expand into electric vehicle battery production are underway, including joint initiatives with the DRC and the US. Namibia’s Tsumeb smelter processes copper concentrates into blister copper, while green hydrogen projects offer potential for sustainable mineral processing.
Challenges to Scaling Value Addition
Several barriers hinder full-scale mineral processing in Africa:
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High and unreliable utility costs – Energy-intensive processing faces electricity shortages and high tariffs. In Zambia, mining alone consumes over 50% of national electricity. Namibia imports 60% of its power, making industrial-scale processing costly.
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Limited local raw materials – For example, local copper cathode supply is insufficient for domestic manufacturers, forcing reliance on imports or underutilization of production capacity.
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Skills gaps – Shortages of trained technicians and artisans slow the development of advanced processing facilities.
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Economies of scale – Smaller production volumes increase per-unit costs, making African products less competitive against established Chinese and Indian processing hubs.
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Weak regional cooperation – Limited cross-border integration restricts aggregation of mineral resources, reducing the feasibility of regional processing facilities.
Policy and Partnership Solutions
African governments must take a pragmatic approach, gradually advancing along the value chain while improving industrial conditions. Export restrictions on unprocessed minerals can help, but they are insufficient without reliable energy, finance, and infrastructure. Prioritizing products with regional demand or lower technological complexity—such as battery precursors, energy storage solutions, and two- or three-wheeled vehicles—can create near-term industrial gains.
For Europe, real investment is needed. Supporting African infrastructure, energy solutions, and skills development would make value addition projects economically viable and create mutually beneficial partnerships. The EU could expand its domestic processing targets to include overseas facilities with European involvement, incentivizing integrated Europe-Africa mineral value chains.
Regional Cooperation as a Game-Changer
Aggregating resources across southern Africa offers economies of scale, reduced costs, and stronger access to regional and global markets. Projects like the DRC-Zambia electric vehicle battery initiative, upgraded transport corridors in Namibia and Zambia, and potential railway extensions to ports could enable more competitive processing and manufacturing hubs.
Towards a Win-Win Future
The global race for critical minerals has reshaped geopolitical dynamics in Africa. China’s vertically integrated approach demonstrates how industrial, political, and economic influence can align. Europe has the expertise, finance, and technology to compete—but only if it engages constructively and supports African industrial ecosystems.
By fostering stronger Africa-Europe partnerships in mineral processing, value addition, and technology deployment, both continents stand to benefit: Africa through industrialization, job creation, and reduced dependence on external powers; Europe through secure, cost-effective access to critical minerals and strengthened geopolitical ties.
The path forward requires cooperation, realistic policies, and shared investment. Done right, it promises a sustainable future where Africa’s mineral wealth drives industrial and technological growth, not just raw exports.
