G20 Focus | Can Africa Leverage Its Critical Minerals For Its Own Development?

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Published Nov 3, 2025

For decades, Africa’s citizens have suffered from a lack of development despite it being rich with natural resources, while resource-poor economies thrived on the back of Africa’s rich mineral resources. For instance, in 2023, Africa exported approximately $234 billion worth of raw minerals with limited value addition. Can the continent reverse this trend going forward?

Joining Thulasizwe Simelane to unpack this discussion is Prof. Christopher Isike from the University of Pretoria, President of the National Union of Mineworkers, Phillip Vilakazi and Veronica Smith, the CEO of Critical Minerals Africa Group.

South Africa's theme of the G20 South African Presidency is 'Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability'.

The Group of Twenty (G20) is an international forum of both developing and developed countries which seeks to find solutions to global economic and financial issues.