JOHANNESBURG — European Council President António Costa on Sunday warned global leaders against the “weaponization” of critical mineral exports, signaling a deeper pivot toward African partnerships to secure the resources needed for the green energy transition.
Speaking during a session on the future economy at the G20 summit, Costa addressed the fragility of global supply chains for minerals essential to electric vehicles and solar panels, such as lithium and cobalt. He cautioned that export restrictions are threatening the competitiveness of industries worldwide.
“Weaponizing these restrictions, as we have seen in recent weeks, runs counter to any claims for open and fair trade, or for the defense of the multilateral system,” Costa said.
While Costa did not name specific nations, his remarks follow a period of tightened export controls on key raw materials by major global producers.
“If some countries do not wish to be seen as reliable partners, we take note and will continue to diversify and de-risk our supply chains,” he added.
To counter these risks, Costa championed a new Strategic Partnership between the European Union and South Africa on sustainable minerals and metals value chains, signed on the margins of the summit. The agreement aims to move beyond simple extraction, focusing instead on processing and manufacturing within African nations to spur local economic growth.
Costa described the high demand for minerals as a “tremendous opportunity” for the continent, provided it avoids the historical pitfalls of the “resource curse.”
“By leveraging their significant reserves, African nations can boost their economies, develop domestic value chains, and play a central role in the supply of materials for clean energy technologies,” Costa said.
The agreement with South Africa follows similar recent deals between the EU and Namibia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, and Rwanda. Costa stated that these collaborations are designed to create “fair, safe and durable jobs” while helping the EU navigate “increasing risks of geopolitical competition.”
“As supply chains cross few jurisdictions, disruptions or export restrictions threaten the green transition,” Costa noted. “We must find alternatives.”
