Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva issued a strong appeal in Maputo today, urging African nations to break with the historical pattern of exporting raw minerals and instead invest in domestic industrialisation to capture greater value from their natural resources.
Speaking at the Mozambique–Brazil Business Forum, during his state visit to the country, Lula warned that Brazil would no longer accept being “merely an exporter” of critical minerals, and challenged Mozambique and the wider continent to follow the same path.
He remarked that “Africa, like South America, holds significant reserves of critical minerals such as lithium and cobalt, which will play a decisive role in the green transition. International cooperation is essential – but it must be on our terms”
“We will not be exporters of critical minerals. If anyone wants them, they will need to industrialise in our countries, so that our people can benefit from this wealth, “ he added.
“A Century of Lessons”
Speaking before dozens of business leaders from both nations, Lula stressed that countries rich in natural resources cannot afford to repeat past mistakes.
“We already have a century of experience. Either we use the riches God has given us to create well-being for our people, or we will watch the same countries as always dig holes in our land, take our minerals, and leave us with hunger and poverty.”
He urged African nations to define their own models of exploration and processing sovereignly, noting the urgency of ensuring that mineral wealth translates into tangible economic and social benefits.
China’s Rise and Western Neglect
In a candid assessment of global competition in Africa, Lula acknowledged that China’s growing presence on the continent creates a great deal of jealousy.
“On one side, from part of the European Union, which forgot to invest in Africa; on another, from the United States, which also forgot Africa; and from Brazil as well, which neglected its engagement here, and China filled that space,” he said.
“Instead of lamenting or criticising, let us work. Let us work to recover the ground we lost.”
Brazil’s Return to Africa
Lula used the occasion to underscore Brazil’s renewed commitment to strengthening ties with African nations, contrasting it with what he described as the neglect of Africa during Brazil’s previous right-wing government.
“Brazil owes much of its identity to the African people — our culture, our colour, our smile, our virtues and even our flaws,” he said. “This cannot be repaid with money. It must be repaid with friendship, solidarity and technology transfer.”
