Bio Urges Africa to Process Minerals Locally and Invest in Infrastructure

President Julius Maada Bio has called for greater mineral processing and infrastructure investment across Africa, arguing that the continent should capture more value from its natural resources.

Bio made the appeal during a fireside chat at UNSTOPPABLE AFRICA 2026 in New York, where he urged countries to move away from extracting minerals and exporting them in raw form.

“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,” he said.

Focus on value addition

According to Bio, Africa’s mineral wealth should form the basis for industrialisation, economic transformation and inclusive development. He said expanding mineral processing and manufacturing within Africa could promote value addition, reinforce national economies and create employment opportunities, particularly for young people.

He also called for increased investment in infrastructure across key sectors, stressing that improved infrastructure is essential to unlocking Africa’s productive potential and supporting sustainable economic growth.

The programme was held under the theme “Powering Business, Scaling Economies, Shaping the Future.” UNSTOPPABLE AFRICA 2026 is organised by the United Nations Global Compact and convened by the United Nations and the African Union.

Opening ceremony

Bio later attended the event’s high-level opening ceremony. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf delivered addresses during the ceremony.

The opening highlighted the importance of African leadership, international partnerships and bold investment in the continent’s development, according to the event account.

The ceremony brought together leaders of the United Nations, former African presidents, prominent African business leaders and representatives of leading financial institutions. The supplied event information does not identify the individual former presidents, business leaders or financial institutions that attended.