N’DJAMENA, REPUBLIC OF CHAD – January 21, 2026 – H.E. Ms. Francisca Tatchouop Belobe, the African Union Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals (ETTIM), arrived in N’Djamena today to participate in the International Mining, Quarries and Hydrocarbons Conference & Exhibition (SEMICA Tchad). Addressing a High-Level Panel, the Commissioner outlined a transformative strategy to move African nations from simple resource extraction to becoming a global hub for green industrialization.

During the panel titled "Extractive Industries for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development – What Strategy for African Countries?", Commissioner Belobe emphasized that Africa is the "heartbeat of the global energy transition". She called for an end to the "paradox of plenty" by focusing on four non-negotiable pillars: Governance, Value Addition, Green Industrialization, and Regional Integration.

Key highlights from her address included:

• The Green Minerals Shift: Highlighting that Africa produces over 70% of the world’s cobalt but captures less than 3% of the battery market value, the Commissioner advocated for the Africa Green Minerals Strategy (AGMS) to build regional electric vehicle (EV) value chains.
• Developmental Mining: Moving beyond tax collection, she urged Member States to adopt the African Mineral Governance Framework (AMGF) to ensure mining codes protect African citizens and institutionalize accountability.
• The AfCFTA Advantage: Commissioner Belobe noted that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is the primary tool for harmonizing mineral policies to justify large-scale investments in continental refineries and smelting plants.
• Artisanal Mining: A call to formalize the Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) sector to safeguard the millions of youth and women employed within it.

Commissioner Belobe concluded her remarks with a firm call for "political will" to reject deals that do not serve long-term development. "The strategy for African countries is clear: Own the value chain," she stated, reaffirming that the AU is committed to ensuring minerals power Africa’s own industrial and social transformation.

Parallel to the conference, H.E. Francisca Tatchouop Belobe is spearheading a series of high-level bilateral engagements designed to accelerate the ratification and entry into force of the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) Statute.

These strategic meetings included consultations with the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Chad to harmonize the African Union’s Agenda 2063 with Chad’s Vision 2030, and with the Executive Secretariat of CEN-SAD to mobilize the political momentum necessary to close the critical 11-country ratification gap.

To ensure seamless national integration, the Commissioner further engaged with the National Assembly of Chad to secure parliamentary ownership and fiscal alignment, while coordinating with the Ministry of Petroleum, Mines, and Geology to position the institution as the essential technical guarantor for the Statute's post-ratification implementation.

For further information, please contact:

Mr. John Magok Nhial | Mineral Resources Development Expert | Directorate of Industry, Minerals, Entrepreneurship and Minerals | African Union Commission | E-mail: NhialJ@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Media Contact: Ms. Meaza Tezera | Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals | African Union Commission | E-mail Meazat@africanunion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia