In a landmark move set to redefine the continent’s role in the global green economy, the African Union (AU) has unveiled plans to create a coalition of mineral-producing countries as part of its broader “Green Minerals Strategy.” The announcement, made during a climate summit in Addis Ababa in early September 2025, aims to unify African nations amid intensifying global demand for critical minerals, such as cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements, which are crucial to renewable energy and advanced technologies.
Africa holds some of the world’s richest deposits of these minerals, particularly in countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Despite this wealth, decades of underdevelopment, exploitation, and external control have marginalized Africa’s ability to reap full benefits. With this coalition, the AU signals a decisive departure from that legacy.
“The Green Minerals Strategy is a vehicle for harnessing Africa’s vast mineral wealth for climate-resilient development,” the African Union noted in its official statement. The vision centers on promoting regional cooperation, domestic value addition, and self-reliance in climate financing, especially as the continent continues to bear the disproportionate burden of global warming.
The initiative comes amid a growing global race to secure climate-critical raw materials. The International Energy Agency) anticipates a fourfold increase in demand for such minerals by 2040 as clean energy technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles become more widespread.
This surge has drawn renewed geopolitical attention to Africa. The United States and European Union have intensified efforts to secure alternative sources of cobalt and lithium to lessen their reliance on China, which dominates global supply chains in both mineral extraction and processing. The U.S., for instance, has forged new agreements with the DRC to access its mineral wealth while also pressing for ethical, diversified sourcing.
“Africa has the minerals, but not the leverage. A unified coalition could shift that balance,” said Dr. Linda Mbutu, an energy economist at the University of Nairobi. A collective approach could also enable African countries to negotiate better trade terms, establish local refining capacity, and set price benchmarks much like the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) did for oil.
While the AU’s announcement centered on the resource economy, it also echoed strong calls for climate justice. Africa contributes the least to global emissions, yet it remains the most vulnerable to their consequences, including rising sea levels, prolonged droughts, and food insecurity.
At the climate summit, leaders underscored the importance of international finance commitments made at forums like the UN COP29 in Baku, where developed nations pledged $300 billion annually for climate resilience and adaptation. However, most African states have seen only a fraction of these funds.
“We are the stewards of the minerals that will power the global green transition,” said Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Chair of the AU Commission. “This is not just about economic fairness. It is about sovereignty and survival.”
Despite its promise, the coalition faces significant hurdles. Member states differ in economic priorities: while the DRC and Zimbabwe prioritize mining, countries like Nigeria continue to focus on oil. Additionally, logistical barriers such as armed conflict in mining zones and underdeveloped infrastructure pose serious risks to supply chains.
Furthermore, governance remains a concern. Without a common framework for mineral management, pooling sovereignty over national resources may prove difficult. There is also the issue of foreign pressure: China, the EU, and U.S. firms currently dominate African mining sectors, and their influence could complicate efforts toward regional integration.
“Even if the coalition doesn’t function like OPEC from day one, it sends a clear signal: Africa is done being the world’s quarry,” said Dr. Jean-Benoît Mallet of the OECD Development Centre.
Looking ahead, all eyes turn to COP30 in Belém, Brazil, this November. Brazil has pledged to advocate for new funding frameworks to address the shortfalls in existing climate finance mechanisms. For Africa, the summit offers a platform to underline its dual message: the continent must be compensated for its climate losses, and acknowledged as a central player in the green energy revolution.
Africa’s proposed mineral coalition is more than a geopolitical maneuver. It reflects growing consensus across the continent: that the future of energy should not be forged from old patterns of exploitation, but rather through partnerships grounded in equity, resilience, and shared prosperity. Africa is not just extracting minerals, it’s extracting leverage. And the world is starting to take notice.