Former President Obasanjo Urges Africa to End Raw Material Exports and Prioritize Value Addition

At the ARDA 2026 conference, former President Obasanjo emphasized the need for Africa to add value to its resources and build refineries to ensure energy security.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 13, 2026, 6:58 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Engineering News

The Imperative for African Value Addition

In a video address to the 2026 ARDA conference at the Century City Conference Centre, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo delivered a sharp critique of the continent's current economic model. He asserted that the practice of exporting raw materials only to import finished products is fundamentally detrimental to Africa’s development. Obasanjo argued that for the continent to progress, it must focus on "African solutions for African problems," particularly through the industrialization of its natural resources.

Lessons from Global Volatility

Obasanjo pointed out that the geopolitical shifts and major wars of the past few years have taught Africa a critical lesson about vulnerability. He noted that dependence on the global North for finished goods makes the continent susceptible to external shocks. To counter this, he urged African nations to fully implement the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which would facilitate the movement of value-added products across borders and strengthen regional economic resilience.

Strengthening Infrastructure and Refineries

A central theme of the address was the need for a secure and affordable energy supply. Obasanjo called on industry leaders and governments to move beyond technological discussions and focus on strategic infrastructure. This includes strengthening existing refineries, building new processing facilities, and constructing a network of pipelines across the continent. These steps are essential to shielding African populations from global energy supply shocks and price volatility.