ACCET’s work is anchored in five interlinked thematic areas that define our intellectual identity and policy focus. Together, these themes address the full ecosystem of challenges and opportunities surrounding Africa’s critical minerals and energy transition — from governance and finance to technology, communities, and global partnerships.
Our thematic work is problem-driven, evidence-based, and impact-oriented, ensuring that Africa’s mineral wealth contributes to industrialization, climate resilience, and inclusive development.
Africa holds vast reserves of critical minerals essential to the global energy transition, yet governance gaps persist. Weak regulatory frameworks, limited transparency, poor contract negotiation, and minimal beneficiation have often resulted in lost value, environmental harm, and community tensions.
Without strong governance, Africa risks repeating the resource curse — exporting raw materials while importing inequality.
ACCET supports African governments and institutions to strengthen governance across the entire mineral value chain. We combine political economy analysis, legal and regulatory review, and stakeholder engagement to promote:
While Africa is central to the global energy transition, millions still lack access to reliable energy. Global decarbonisation pathways often overlook Africa’s development needs, fiscal constraints, and industrial ambitions.
The question is not whether Africa will transition — but how and on whose terms
Africa’s energy transition faces a significant financing gap. High capital costs, perceived risk, weak financial instruments, and limited access to climate finance constrain progress — particularly for renewable energy and mineral beneficiation projects.
ACCET works to unlock sustainable, innovative, and Africa-appropriate financing mechanisms by:
Africa’s role in global mineral value chains remains heavily extractive, with limited technological upgrading, R&D capacity, or manufacturing depth. This limits job creation, innovation, and long-term competitiveness.
ACCET promotes technology-driven transformation by supporting:
We focus on how technology can enable value addition, efficiency, and accountability.
Communities often bear the social and environmental costs of mining and energy projects while receiving limited benefits. Women, youth, and vulnerable groups are frequently excluded from decision-making.
A just energy transition must be people-centred.
ACCET embeds justice and inclusion across all its work by promoting: