May 13, (THEWILL) — The United Nations has demanded an end to the foreign capture and exploitation of Africa’s vast natural resource wealth, declaring that the era of “plundering” the continent while Africans bear the environmental and economic consequences must come to an end.
The position was stated by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, during a meeting with the Chairman of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa.
The engagement formed part of the 10th African Union–United Nations Annual Conference, where African and global leaders are discussing major issues affecting the continent, including development, governance, peace and security, climate action, and sustainable resource management.
Addressing concerns over decades of extractive economic practices on the continent, the UN chief lamented that Africa continues to suffer environmental degradation and economic losses while much of the value generated from its vast mineral and natural resources is captured abroad.
“For too long, Africa’s resources have been extracted, the value captured elsewhere, and the environmental damage left behind. No more exploitation. No more plundering”, Guterres said.
He stressed that Africa must prioritise the welfare and prosperity of its people in the management of natural resources, insisting that the continent’s wealth should first benefit Africans rather than foreign interests.
“The people of Africa must benefit—first and most—from the resources of Africa”, he added.
Guterres further called for stronger cooperation among African governments, international institutions, and development partners to build fairer economic systems to promote industrialisation, job creation, environmental protection, and sustainable development across the continent.
The UN Secretary-General’s remarks come amid growing calls from African leaders, economists, and civil society groups for reforms in global trade structures and resource governance frameworks that have historically favoured foreign corporations and economies over local communities.
Observers say the renewed push for Africa to retain greater value from its resources could encourage investments in local processing industries, manufacturing, and infrastructure development, while reducing dependence on raw-material exports.
The AU-UN conference is expected to strengthen collaboration between the two organisations in addressing Africa’s development priorities, democratic governance, peacebuilding efforts, and economic transformation agenda.
The meeting also underscored increasing international recognition of Africa’s strategic role in the global economy, particularly as demand rises for critical minerals and natural resources needed for energy transition and industrial growth worldwide.
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