Africa Must Stop Exporting Raw Materials, Says BUA

BUA Group’s Abdul Samad Rabiu Urges Africa to Prioritize Industrialisation Over Raw Exports

At the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, BUA Group Chairman Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu called on African countries to stop exporting raw materials and focus on building local industries that add value to their resources.

Value Addition Over Raw Exports

Rabiu emphasized that while Africa is rich in minerals and natural resources, exporting them unprocessed often results in lost jobs, skills, and economic benefits. He urged governments to shift focus to local manufacturing.

“Africa is rich in resources, yet too often sends them abroad unprocessed, along with the jobs, skills, and value that belong here,” Rabiu said. “This must change.”

He highlighted iron ore and crude oil as examples where processing could generate much higher returns before export.

Industrialisation Must Be a Priority

The chairman argued that exporting raw materials limits industrial growth and reduces Africa’s share of global market earnings. Investing in local factories, creating jobs, and developing technical skills can transform Africa’s economic landscape.

“Why export iron ore when we can export steel?” he asked, noting that the continent holds over 20 percent of the world’s iron ore reserves. Similarly, crude oil should drive domestic industrial growth instead of being exported unrefined.

A Broader Vision Beyond Resources

Rabiu also addressed challenges affecting African economic integration. He pointed out that border restrictions and visa delays under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) could hamper regional growth. Governments were urged to remove these barriers.

He talked about a time when he was denied entry at a South African border because his visa had expired, even though some other foreign travelers were allowed through without any problems. This shows how policies can be inconsistent across Africa

Industrialisation, Skills, and Regional Cooperation Are Key

The long-standing practice of exporting raw materials exposes countries to global price fluctuations and deprives them of local value creation. Rabiu’s message aligns with the wider push for industrialisation, value addition, and regional cooperation as essential drivers of sustainable economic growth.

As African leaders and business executives meet in Kigali, Rabiu’s call underscores the need to move beyond raw exports, foster local industries, generate jobs, and strengthen technical expertise across the continent.