NGDr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, urged Nigeria and other African nations to process critical minerals locally rather than exporting them raw. Speaking at the Africa Emerging Markets Forum in Abuja, she highlighted the potential of developing electric vehicle battery production and other green technologies to boost economic resilience. She criticized the current model of raw material extraction and export, linking it to issues like terrorism, banditry, and corruption across Africa. Okonjo-Iweala emphasized the importance of regional collaboration and value addition to create sustainable economic growth and integrate into global supply chains. She noted examples like Morocco's phosphate industry and called for systemic improvements in mineral processing and trade diversification.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the issue through a progressive lens, emphasizing the need for local industrial development and criticism of the current extractive model. It highlights the benefits of value-added processing and regional cooperation, which aligns with leftist economic policies advocating for self
