Johannesburg, South Africa – November 22, 2025: Sierra Leone’s President and Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, has urged world leaders to establish a G20–Africa Compact on Critical Minerals, placing Africa’s vast mineral wealth at the center of global economic discussions during the G20 Summit in Johannesburg.
In his address, President Bio stressed that Africa holds nearly one-third of the world’s critical minerals, essential for renewable energy technologies, advanced manufacturing, and artificial intelligence. He warned that without new frameworks, history could repeat itself, with African resources fueling global prosperity while African economies capture minimal value.
“For too long, our resources have powered global industries while our nations captured the least value. This generation must break that cycle, starting with a G20–Africa Compact anchored in justice,” he said.
President Bio emphasized that Africa must move beyond supplying raw materials to processing and refining them locally, creating jobs and industries. His proposed compact would promote transparent contracts, attract investment in mineral processing, and ensure fair revenue models that prioritize African development.
Although the Summit’s theme focused broadly on trade, finance, and debt, President Bio directed attention to the geopolitical and economic significance of Africa’s mineral wealth. He argued that the global clean-energy transition cannot succeed without Africa and insisted that the continent must share in the value derived from its resources.
The President also highlighted broader economic pressures, including slowing global growth, rising debt servicing, and tightening financial conditions. He reiterated Sierra Leone’s support for accelerated debt restructuring, expanded Special Drawing Rights through regional development banks, and long-term financing for infrastructure and trade.
On climate, President Bio reminded leaders that Africa contributes less than four percent of global emissions yet suffers disproportionately from climate impacts. He cited Sierra Leone’s experiences with flooding, landslides, and erratic rainfall, and renewed his call for a West Africa Climate Adaptation Acceleration Facility to strengthen food security, clean energy, and coastal protection.
President Bio also addressed the governance of artificial intelligence, stressing the need for ethical, inclusive, and equitable frameworks. He warned that without fair access, digital innovation could deepen global inequalities instead of accelerating Africa’s development.
Concluding his remarks, President Bio urged G20 leaders to commit to a new development compact anchored in fairness and shared prosperity. He reaffirmed that the proposed G20–Africa Compact on Critical Minerals represents not only an economic opportunity but also a defining moment to correct historical imbalances and secure a just future for the continent.