Getting yourTrinity Audioplayer ready…Harare, Zimbabwe, 31 August 2025 –As the race for clean energy intensifies, Africa has once again found itself at the centre of a global scramble for resources. This time, the rush is not for oil or diamonds but for the critical minerals that power the technologies of tomorrow—lithium, cobalt, copper, tantalum, and rare earth elements.The recent expansion of KoBold Metals, a U.S.-based exploration company backed by billionaire philanthropists Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, has ignited both excitement and concern. KoBold secured seven exploration permits near the Manono lithium belt in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), one of the richest mineral deposits in the world.
While the move underscores Africa’s strategic importance in the global energy transition, it has also raised alarm bells among activists and community leaders.The Pamoja Critical Minerals Alliance (PCMA), a grassroots platform launched in 2023, has issued a sharp warning: Africa must not be pushed into a “Resource Curse 2.0.” The group argues that while the world races to decarbonise, African communities risk being left behind—once again paying the price for resource extraction through displacement, environmental harm, and deepening inequality.“The rush for Africa’s minerals is not just about clean energy – it is also about power, profits, and geopolitics,” said Sydney Chisi, Campaigns and Mobilisation Lead at Pamoja. “If Gates and Bezos want to lead in Africa, they must set the gold standard: beneficiate the minerals at source, create jobs, and guarantee human rights protections for Congolese communities.”Minerals, Energy, and JusticeCritical minerals are indispensable for green technologies such as electric vehicle batteries, wind turbines, and solar panels. Yet, despite their immense value, the communities closest to the mines often see little benefit.
According to PCMA, most mining projects in Africa fail to create sustainable jobs, invest in local processing, or adequately protect the environment.The Alliance insists that companies like KoBold must adhere to international frameworks such as the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the OECD Due Diligence Guidance on Responsible Mineral Supply Chains. These standards—often grouped under the umbrella of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)—require companies to respect human rights, engage with affected communities, and prevent harm.A Continental Movement EmergesFounded in late 2023 after consultations between civil society groups in the DRC and Zambia, PCMA has rapidly expanded into a continental network. It brings together workers, mining communities, women, youth, indigenous peoples, faith-based groups, and academics.
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Its message is clear: the clean energy future must not replicate the injustices of the past.“We are using the nexus between critical minerals and green technologies to push for climate justice,” Chisi explained. “But our vision goes further—we stand in solidarity with communities affected not only by cobalt and lithium mining, but also by coal, oil, and gas projects. Pamoja means ‘together as one.’ An injury to one is an injury to all.”PCMA will represent grassroots voices at the upcoming African Climate Summit (ACS2) in Ethiopia this September and is preparing for its first continental assembly before the end of the year.
The gathering will refine its strategy and strengthen its role as Africa’s leading platform for minerals and energy justice.Standing at a CrossroadsThe stakes are high. On one hand, Africa’s vast mineral wealth positions it as a cornerstone of the global green revolution. On the other hand, without safeguards, the continent risks a repeat of history—extractive industries enriching elites and foreign investors while local communities sink deeper into poverty.For PCMA, the choice is stark: Africa must insist on a just transition where clean energy does not come at the cost of human rights, dignity, and sustainable development.“The clean energy future must not be built on dirty practices,” Chisi said.
“Africa’s minerals must power justice, dignity, and development—not deepen inequality. We must stand up, fight, and demand a just transition for people and our planet.” Harare, Zimbabwe, 31 August 2025 –As the race for clean energy intensifies, Africa has once again found itself at the centre of a global scramble for resources. This time, the rush is not for oil or diamonds but for the critical minerals that power the technologies of tomorrow—lithium, cobalt, copper, tantalum, and rare earth elements.
The recent expansion of KoBold Metals, a U.S.-based exploration company backed by billionaire philanthropists Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, has ignited both excitement and concern. While the move underscores Africa’s strategic importance in the global energy transition, it has also raised alarm bells among activists and community leaders. The Pamoja Critical Minerals Alliance (PCMA), a grassroots platform launched in 2023, has issued a sharp warning: Africa must not be pushed into a “Resource Curse 2.0.” The group argues that while the world races to decarbonise, African communities risk being left behind—once again paying the price for resource extraction through displacement, environmental harm, and deepening inequality.
“The rush for Africa’s minerals is not just about clean energy – it is also about power, profits, and geopolitics,” said Sydney Chisi, Campaigns and Mobilisation Lead at Pamoja. “If Gates and Bezos want to lead in Africa, they must set the gold standard: beneficiate the minerals at source, create jobs, and guarantee human rights protections for Congolese communities.”
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