Former Malawi President Joyce Banda has challenged African leaders to turn the continent’s mineral wealth into jobs for young people instead of allowing them to leave in search of better opportunities abroad.
Banda’s message comes as African countries seek to benefit from growing demand for critical minerals used in modern technologies, raising questions about how much ordinary citizens gain from the continent’s natural resources.
South African television news channel Newzroom TV reported Banda’s remarks, in which she called for Africa to use its mineral discoveries to expand opportunities for young people and address the pressures driving migration.
Her message points to a challenge facing many African economies, including Malawi, where mineral extraction alone cannot guarantee jobs or better living conditions.
Countries need to invest in local processing, manufacturing and skills development to create industries that employ people beyond the mining sites.
Without such investments, African countries risk exporting raw materials while missing opportunities to create additional jobs and retain more economic value at home.
Banda’s call places the focus on whether the continent can turn its natural resource wealth into livelihoods for young people who need jobs, income and a reason to build their futures in Africa.