The importance of African countries leveraging their mineral wealth, particularly critical minerals like cobalt and lithium, to assert control over their future and ensure economic development is highlighted in the section. African policymakers are encouraged to adopt common beneficiation thresholds to promote local processing of minerals before export, with examples of countries like Namibia, Ghana, and Zimbabwe implementing such measures provided. The African Union's African Mining Vision is mentioned as a way to strengthen the continent's bargaining power and prevent exploitation by foreign companies. Mineral revenues can be used to fund climate plans, but effective regulation, energy supply, infrastructure investment, and regional coordination are essential for success. Strong transparency standards under the EITI can strengthen public trust and fiscal stability, while frameworks like the AfCFTA can build cross-border value chains and move beyond aid-dependent development. Africa's mineral wealth, if governed with the right policies, transparency, and foresight, can anchor green industrialization and position Africa as a decisive architect of a more just and sustainable global order, with young people playing a key role in shaping the future.
Tag: Namibia
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Colombia aims to launch fossil fuel transition platform at first global conference
Colombia is hosting a global conference to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels, bringing together countries committed to phasing out coal, oil, and gas. The event aims to create a platform for discussions on legal, economic, and social pathways for a just transition, gaining support from 24 countries, including major fossil fuel producers. The initiative is seen as a necessary complement to the UN climate regime, focusing on developing reports and scientific inputs to support countries in moving towards a fossil fuel-free future. The conference will emphasize justice and aim to create a coalition of governments, institutions, businesses, and philanthropies committed to ending the fossil fuel era, with a practical, supportive, and healing approach. Developing countries like Namibia, Guyana, and Nigeria are seeking international support to envision their own energy transitions.
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How Southern African farmers & elephants can both adapt to coexist
Conservation groups in Southern Africa, including the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) in Zimbabwe, the Ecoexist Trust in Botswana, and Elephant-Human Relations Aid (EHRA) in Namibia, are implementing various strategies to promote coexistence between farmers and elephants. These strategies include using technology such as satellite collars, virtual fencing, and geofences to monitor elephant movements and prevent conflicts. By adapting farming practices, establishing fenced gardens, and implementing nonlethal repellents, these organizations are working towards fostering peaceful coexistence and reducing human-elephant conflict. Through these efforts, there is potential to create an "elephant-aware economy" in the region, incentivizing coexistence behavior and protecting Africa's remaining savanna elephants.
https://news.mongabay.com/2025/12/how-southern-african-farmers-elephants-can-both-adapt-to-coexist/