Keypoints:
- Africa must profit from its minerals
Guterres says host nations should benefit most from critical mineral resources. - UN chief calls for reform
He urged permanent African seats on the Security Council and stronger financial influence. - Debt burden stifles development
Thirty-four nations spend more on debt than health or education.
AT the opening of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), UN Secretary-General António Guterres demanded that Africa’s mineral wealth serve Africans first, insisting host nations must be the main beneficiaries of their natural resources.
Minerals, renewables and fair value
Guterres told delegates that Africa holds critical minerals vital for renewable technologies, yet remains excluded from much of their economic value. ‘The countries hosting them must be the ones to benefit first and most, while adding value to local and global value chains,’ he said, according to a statement from his office.
With the world’s youngest population, vast natural resources and a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Africa is, he said, ‘poised for progress’. Yet despite its renewable potential, the continent attracts just 2 per cent of global clean energy investment, leaving about 600 million Africans without electricity.
Call for global reform
The UN chief pressed for reforms to global governance, warning that Africa’s marginalisation in decision-making is unsustainable. He called for permanent African representation on the UN Security Council and greater influence in international financial institutions, noting that Africa currently has no permanent Council seat.
Debt relief and development priorities
Guterres also urged bold steps on debt relief, stressing that 34 African countries now spend more on servicing debt than on health and education. He argued that this imbalance constrains development and undermines future growth.
Japan-Africa ties and Expo 2025
The three-day summit in Yokohama has drawn leaders and officials from around 50 African nations, alongside international organisations. On the sidelines, Guterres met Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, with discussions covering UN reforms, nuclear disarmament and preparations for Expo 2025 in Osaka.
