Burkina Faso: SAMAO 2024, critical minerals and energy transition, a springboard for the industrialisation of Africa.
The 2024 edition of the West African Mining Activities Week (SAMAO) brought together key players on September 27 for a panel discussion titled “Critical Minerals and Energy Transition: What Industrialization Opportunities for Africa?”
Experts from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Cameroon shared their insights into the growing significance of critical minerals in the global shift toward renewable energy.
Professor Sié Kam, head of the Laboratory for Thermal and Renewable Energies, led the conversation, emphasizing the essential role that critical minerals play in the development of renewable and digital infrastructure.
He pointed to the increasing demand for materials such as cobalt, manganese, chromium, and platinum, all crucial for producing solar panels, electric vehicles, and wind turbines.
Africa, home to vast reserves of these resources, has a unique opportunity to meet global demand, but the continent must also consider how to leverage this potential for local industrialization.
The global energy transition, driven by climate change and the depletion of fossil fuels, requires a shift toward renewable energy sources.
This transformation involves not only changes in production systems but also improvements in energy efficiency and the adoption of more sustainable energy practices.
Mireille Médah/Nana, Director of Renewable Energies at Burkina Faso’s Ministry of Energy, outlined her country’s efforts to embrace this transition.
She highlighted Burkina Faso’s commitment to diversifying its energy mix and increasing the share of renewables in its grid.
Recent reforms, including the liberalization of the energy sector, have attracted private investment, significantly boosting solar power capacity—from 64.71 MW in 2022 to 159 MW in 2024.
In summary, the panel underscored the potential of critical mineral exploitation as a catalyst for Africa’s industrialization, while also addressing the continent’s role in the global energy transition.
The discussion provided a platform for exploring how Africa can turn its rich mineral resources into industrial and economic gains, while contributing to a sustainable future.
Cédric KABORE
