Bio Calls for African Mineral Processing and Infrastructure Investment
President Julius Maada Bio has urged African countries to process and transform their minerals on the continent and increase infrastructure investment.
NEW YORK, United States — President Julius Maada Bio has called on African countries to process and transform their minerals within the continent rather than continuing to export them in raw form.
Bio made the appeal during a fireside chat at UNSTOPPABLE AFRICA 2026 in New York on September 20, where he also urged greater investment in infrastructure across key sectors.
Call for value addition
The Sierra Leonean president said Africa should move away from an economic model centred on the extraction and export of unprocessed resources. He linked mineral processing and manufacturing to stronger national economies and increased employment opportunities, particularly for Africa’s growing youth population.
“Africa must move beyond the extraction and export of raw materials. We must process and transform our minerals on the continent, while investing in the infrastructure needed to drive value addition, strengthen our economies, and create meaningful jobs and opportunities for our young people,” Bio said.
He also stressed that improved infrastructure would be essential to unlocking Africa’s productive potential and supporting sustainable economic growth.
High-level opening ceremony
Following the fireside chat, Bio witnessed the high-level opening ceremony of UNSTOPPABLE AFRICA 2026. The programme was organised by the United Nations Global Compact and convened by the United Nations and the African Union.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf delivered addresses during the ceremony. Their remarks highlighted African leadership, international partnerships and bold investment in the continent’s development, according to the State House Media and Communications Unit.
The gathering brought together United Nations leaders, former African presidents, African business leaders and representatives of major financial institutions. The theme of the 2026 programme is “Powering Business, Scaling Economies, Shaping the Future.”
The State House Media and Communications Unit described Bio as the first African head of state to kick-start the 2026 programme.
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