African Development Bank Pitches Five Critical Minerals Projects to Korean Investors

The African Development Bank has stepped up efforts to attract international investment into Africa’s critical minerals sector, presenting five regional projects to Korean investors as the continent seeks to expand mining, processing and value addition. The projects were showcased during the 8th Ministerial Conference of the Korea-Africa Forum on Economic Cooperation. The conference brought together African governments, development institutions and South Korean stakeholders to explore opportunities for deeper economic and commercial cooperation between Africa and South Korea.

Critical minerals have emerged as an increasingly strategic component of the global economy, particularly as countries accelerate the transition to clean energy and invest in advanced technologies. Minerals such as lithium, cobalt, copper, graphite and manganese are essential to a wide range of applications, including batteries, electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, electronics and other high-technology industries. The African Development Bank is positioning Africa’s critical minerals endowment as an opportunity to drive industrialisation and generate greater economic value from the continent’s natural resources.

Africa is home to some of the world’s significant deposits of critical minerals, yet the continent has historically captured only a limited share of the value generated from these resources because many minerals are exported in raw or minimally processed form. The African Development Bank is seeking to change this pattern by encouraging investment not only in mineral extraction, but also in processing, refining, manufacturing and supporting infrastructure. Developing these activities within Africa could enable countries to retain a larger share of the economic benefits associated with their mineral wealth.

The five projects presented to Korean investors are intended to illustrate opportunities for investment and partnerships across the broader critical-minerals value chain, spanning areas ranging from mining and transport infrastructure to mineral processing and downstream manufacturing. The initiative reflects the broader strategy of helping African economies move away from dependence on the export of unprocessed commodities. Greater domestic and regional processing could support the development of industrial ecosystems around mining, creating demand for infrastructure, energy, logistics, engineering and manufacturing services while generating employment and strengthening local supply chains.

Why This Matters

Shifting the focus from raw commodity exports to domestic processing transforms how African economies integrate into global trade networks. By anchoring industrial capabilities locally, resource-rich nations can mitigate the structural vulnerabilities tied to volatile commodity markets while building resilient transport and energy infrastructure. Retaining processing activities on the continent directly impacts regional trade by creating robust industrial ecosystems that generate sustainable employment and foster technical skills transfer across multiple domestic sectors.

South Korea possesses advanced technological capabilities and manufacturing capacity, making it a critical partner for African nations aiming to move up the global value chain. Aligning African mineral wealth with Korean industrial demand establishes a framework for secure and diversified supply chains. This collaboration supports long-term economic transformation, helping participating countries build sophisticated industrial bases that extend far beyond traditional mining operations and raw material extraction.

Opportunities

• Contractors: Secure major engineering, procurement and construction mandates for new transport infrastructure, processing facilities, and energy supply networks supporting regional mining projects.
• Integrators: Forge technology and equipment supply partnerships to deploy advanced machinery for mineral refining and downstream manufacturing inside African industrial zones.
• Financiers: Structure long-term debt and equity packages to fund capital-intensive processing plants, logistics corridors, and industrial park developments across participating regions.
• Operators: Establish joint ventures with local and international stakeholders to manage integrated mining, smelting, and refining operations within the continent.

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