President Dr Julius Maada Bio has called for a fundamental shift in Africa’s management of its mineral resources, urging countries to process and transform their minerals on the continent instead of continuing to export them in raw form.
President Julius Maada Bio made the call during a fireside chat at UNSTOPPABLE AFRICA 2026 in New York, United States, on Sunday, September 20, 2026. He became the first African Head of State to participate in this year’s programme.
President Julius Maada Bio said Africa’s vast mineral wealth should serve as a foundation for industrialization, economic transformation and inclusive development. He stressed that expanding mineral processing and manufacturing within Africa would promote value addition, strengthen national economies and create meaningful employment opportunities, particularly for the continent’s growing youth population.
The President also called for increased investment in infrastructure across key sectors, noting that modern and reliable infrastructure is essential to unlocking Africa’s productive potential and supporting sustainable economic growth.
“Africa must move beyond the extraction and export of raw materials. We must process and transform our minerals on the continent while investing in the infrastructure needed to drive value addition, strengthen our economies and create meaningful jobs and opportunities for our young people,” President Julius Maada Bio stated.
Following the fireside chat, President Julius Maada Bio attended the high-level opening ceremony of UNSTOPPABLE AFRICA 2026, which brought together United Nations leaders, former African Presidents, prominent African business executives and representatives of leading financial institutions.
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres and Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, addressed the opening ceremony, highlighting the importance of strong African leadership, effective global partnerships and bold investments in advancing the continent’s development.
UNSTOPPABLE AFRICA 2026 is being held under the theme: “Powering Business, Scaling Economies, Shaping the Future.” The event is organized by the United Nations Global Compact and jointly convened by the United Nations and the African Union.
