Centre for Climate & Technology Diplomacy
Critical Minerals and the Just Energy Transition
The energy transition will be neither green nor just if it reproduces extractive patterns on African soil.
Decarbonisation depends on minerals concentrated in Africa, yet the value added in batteries, panels and vehicles accrues almost entirely elsewhere. A just transition must close that gap.
Industrial policy, not charity
African governments should treat the transition as an industrialisation opportunity — pairing renewable energy build-out with domestic processing and skills development.