Advancing Climate and Economic Justice in Africa: Overcoming Legacies and Charting a New Path

1. Export-Oriented Infrastructure: Colonial-era mining corridors were built to connect mining sites directly to ports, prioritizing export over local value addition. This infrastructure continues to shape the mining landscape, with external players controlling significant portions of the value chain.

2. Dominance of External Players: Both traditional global north countries and new emerging partners play significant roles in Africa's mining sector. This external dominance affects equity and illicit financial flows, as revenues generated from mineral resources often do not benefit local communities.

1. Equity and Illicit Financial Flows: Africa's extractive sector faces challenges related to equity and illicit financial flows. Despite the continent's vast mineral wealth, many African countries struggle to capture the full value of their resources due to weak governance and complex corporate structures.

2. Dependence on Raw Material Exports: Historically, African countries have been exporters of raw materials, such as copper, cobalt, and nickel, which are critical for the global energy transition. However, this dependence limits the potential for value addition and industrial development within Africa.

3. Need for Regional Cooperation: No single African country possesses all the mineral resources required for high-value manufacturing, such as battery production. Regional cooperation is essential to pool resources and create integrated value chains that can compete on the global stage.

1. Industrial Policy and Value Addition: African countries are increasingly focusing on value addition through initiatives like the African Mining Vision. This vision emphasizes beneficiation—the process of improving the economic value of mined products—to create higher-value goods within Africa.

2. Regional Integration: Regional cooperation is crucial for leveraging Africa's mineral wealth. Initiatives like the collaboration between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia, supported by UNECA, aim to create a regional battery manufacturing industry. Such efforts can help African countries capture a larger share of the value chain and reduce dependence on external markets.

3. Technology and Innovation: Investing in technology and innovation is essential for Africa to compete in the global mining sector. This includes adopting modern mining techniques, improving efficiency, and developing local expertise in mineral processing and manufacturing.

1. Deferring to a Future Session: To manage time effectively, Philip Kilonzo proposed rescheduling the session for a session at a later date. This decision was met with approval from participants, who indicated their willingness to continue the conversation then.

2. Official Launch of the Campaign: Philip Kilonzo officially declared the Climate & Economic Justice Campaign launched in Africa, emphasizing that this was just the beginning, with regional and global launches to follow. He stressed the importance of unity and shared responsibility in driving the campaign forward.

3. Key Messages and Call to Action: Philip Kilonzo highlighted several key messages, including the need for debt cancellation, reforming global financial architecture, and pushing for reparations at the global level. He called for a clear understanding of the quantum of debt and sustained efforts to secure economic justice for Africa.

1. Persistence of Economic Colonial Legacy: Dr. Olufunso A. Somorin illustrated the economic colonial legacy through examples like Cameroon's trade strategy, which is heavily oriented towards France rather than neighboring Nigeria. This legacy perpetuates economic structures that do not benefit African nations.

2. Structural Inequalities: Dr. Olufunso A. Somorin discussed the concept of structural inequalities, where higher production costs in Africa make it difficult to compete in the global market. He stressed the need to address these inequalities to foster competitive and sustainable economic growth.

3. Role of Market Forces: Somorin argued that the global market is not free and fair, as it is governed by rules and structures that often disadvantage African countries. He called for a reevaluation of these market forces to create a more equitable playing field.

1. Financing Green Growth: The African Development Bank Group is committed to financing green growth initiatives across the continent. This includes investing in renewable energy projects, supporting climate resilience, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

2. Policy and Advocacy: The bank plays a crucial role in advocating for policy reforms that support climate action and economic justice. This includes working with governments and international partners to develop and implement policies that drive sustainable development.

3. Capacity Building: The African Development Bank Group is also focused on building capacity within African countries to support the transition to a green economy. This includes providing technical assistance, training, and education to support the development of a skilled workforce.