Africa Pushes Resource Control Agenda
DAR ES SALAAM: African countries are increasingly advancing a resource nationalism agenda, seeking to retain greater control over mineral wealth as global demand for critical resources accelerates.
The shift is being driven by a growing realization that while Africa holds vast mineral reserves, much of the value continues to be captured outside the continent through processing, manufacturing and global supply chains.
Southern Africa alone hosts significant deposits of lithium, cobalt, nickel and rare earth elements—minerals essential for clean energy technologies and industrial transformation.
Tanzania has emerged as a key player within this landscape, with expanding investments in graphite, nickel and natural gas positioning the country within global energy and industrial supply chains.
However, policymakers warn that without deliberate intervention, Africa risks repeating a familiar pattern—exporting raw materials while importing finished goods.
“Resource ownership is not enough,” said a Tanzanian economic policy expert. “The real question is who controls processing, technology and pricing power.”
The push for resource nationalism includes a range of policy measures aimed at increasing domestic value retention. These include local processing requirements, stronger oversight of mineral exports and increased state participation in strategic sectors.
Tanzania has already taken steps in this direction, including reforms in mining legislation and efforts to promote beneficiation within the country.
“We cannot continue to export jobs,” the expert said. “Every tonne of raw mineral exported without processing is value and employment lost.”
The urgency of these reforms has been reinforced by the rise of mineral-related crimes across the region, including smuggling and illegal mining, which further erode economic gains.
“Illicit flows are not just a governance issue—they are a development issue,” said a regional governance specialist. “They reduce revenues that should be invested in infrastructure, industry and social services.”
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At the same time, global competition for critical minerals is intensifying, with major economies seeking to secure long-term supply agreements.
Analysts warn that without a coordinated African approach, this competition could replicate historical patterns of extraction without industrialization.
“There is a real risk that Africa becomes central to supply chains but remains peripheral in value capture,” the specialist said.
Regional cooperation is therefore emerging as a central pillar of the strategy. Through platforms such as SADC and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), countries are exploring ways to align policies, strengthen bargaining power and develop regional value chains.
“This is where Africa’s leverage lies,” said the Tanzanian expert. “Individually, countries negotiate from a position of weakness. Collectively, the equation changes.”
However, balancing resource nationalism with investment attractiveness remains a challenge. Governments must design policies that retain value while ensuring stable and predictable investment environments.
“It is not about closing the door,” the expert said. “It is about negotiating better terms.”
For Tanzania and the wider region, the stakes are high. As the global economy transitions toward clean energy and advanced technologies, demand for Africa’s minerals is expected to grow significantly.
The question, analysts say, is no longer whether Africa will supply these resources—but under what conditions.
“If Africa gets this right, minerals can drive industrialization,” the expert said. “If it gets it wrong, the continent will remain stuck in the same cycle.”
As policy debates continue, resource nationalism is emerging not as a rejection of global markets, but as a strategy to engage with them on more equitable terms—ensuring that Africa’s natural wealth translates into long-term economic transformation.
