Economic transformation is a top priority for African policy makers, with the aim to transition from exporting primary and lower-value raw materials to higher value processed materials, spurring linkages to other manufacturing and services sectors across the value chain. The role of the region’s immense natural resource endowments in fuelling this transition is clear. Following the impact of COVID-19, figures on export diversification improved for many African countries, often viewed as a positive step towards this transformation. The policy paper to be discussed during this seminar examined the drivers behind this diversification, revealing a continued dependence on a new basket of high-value primary commodities. These trends shed light on the links between the region’s current commodity dependence and needed policies to spur meaningful value-addition, particularly in the context of rising mineral demand due to the green transition.
The policy seminar will feature a presentation of preliminary findings on this topic, followed by responses by a set of experts on these and related topics, and an open discussion. Comments received will enrich the draft paper and feed into its final iteration as a policy document to be used while engaging member States, including in ongoing and planned projects, technical cooperation and capacity building activities. More ...