President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has issued a call for African nations to end the export of raw materials.
Speaking today, Adesina emphasized the urgent need for a shift toward value addition, stating, “The export of raw materials is the door to poverty. The export of value-added products is the highway to wealth. And Africa is tired of being poor.”
According to the AfDB President, Africa’s continued reliance on exporting unprocessed commodities limits its economic potential and undermines efforts to industrialize.
He noted that countries that have successfully transitioned to wealthier, more developed economies are those that invested in value chains and local production capacities.
“Africa must take full control of its economic destiny. That means processing what we produce, creating jobs, and building industries that retain value within the continent,” Adesina added.
His comments come amid growing debates on economic diversification, trade imbalances, and Africa’s role in global supply chains.
