We, grassroots activists, indigenous and community leaders, advocates for the rights of persons with disabilities, trade unionists and representatives of faith-based organizations, women, youth and civil society from all over Africa, gather at a decisive moment in history. Africa is at the heart of the global energy transition. The continent has a significant share of cobalt, lithium, manganese, graphite, platinum group metals, rare earth elements, copper and bauxite – minerals essential to modern technologies, clean energy solutions and national security, and essential to sectors such as electronics, defence, renewable energy and digital infrastructure.
Africa, despite its continued efforts, continues mainly to export raw minerals and faces significant challenges in terms of value added. Its exports are mainly composed of unprocessed minerals, which have historically slowed employment growth, slowed industrial development and increased their vulnerability to global commodity price fluctuations. Problems such as poverty, inequality and unemployment persist, with more than 600 million Africans without access to electricity.
DECLARATION: PAMO Alliance of Critical Minerals Launch Conference, Harare, Zimbabwe 26 February 2026
