2023-08-17 07:57:42
Several areas are concerned, according to Cnuced: the automobile, renewable energies, health, or even telephony. Thus, while the telecoms market has indeed been developing very significantly on the continent for more than 20 years, Africa must not remain a simple exporter of the raw materials necessary for the manufacture of mobile phones, believes this body of the UN General Assembly.
« The abundance of essential minerals and metals in Africa, such as aluminium, cobalt, copper, lithium and manganese, vital components for technology-intensive industries, makes the continent an attractive destination for manufacturing sectorssays Cnuced in a summary. Which is timely as recent upheavals caused by trade turmoil, geopolitical events and uncertain economic conditions force manufacturers to diversify their production sites. ».
While a few African brands have tried and are still trying to find a place for themselves alongside giants like Transsion or Samsung, all the components of their phones are nevertheless imported to the continent for assembly.
However, Cnuced explains it: the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in particular, thanks to its cobalt, its nickel or its manganese, might develop a regional supply chain, helped by its neighbors and the establishment of a continental free trade area. The UN even assures that an electronic component factory in the DRC would cost three times less than in the United States.
« Now is the time for Africa to strengthen its position in global supply chains as diversification efforts continue “says Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary General of UNCTAD.
But for that, a lot obviously remains to be done. The report recommends, for example, the adoption of laws guaranteeing decent working conditions, the establishment of training, and investment in research centres.
« African countries should also secure better mining contracts and exploration licenses for metals used in high-tech products and supply chains. This would strengthen national industries, allowing local companies to design, buy, manufacture and supply the necessary components “, concludes the Unctad.
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