<\/p>\n
The call comes as governments, industry leaders and civil society organisations gather in Accra, Ghana, for the High-Level Conference on Governance, Critical Minerals and Conflict in Africa.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The meeting is focusing on how Africa can better manage mineral resources at a time when global demand for critical minerals is rising because of the energy transition, electric vehicles, batteries and digital technologies.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Triple A Group Chief Executive Officer Dr Atong Juac said South Sudan\u2019s mining sector is showing signs of progress, including greater participation by women. \u201cThe narrative has changed, not like before, whereby it was like a male-dominated sector or a male-dominated government,\u201d Juac said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Juac said more work is still needed, despite improvements in gender participation. \u201cWe’ve seen lots of improvement in terms of women’s participation, though it’s not enough. So we have 35% affirmative action of women’s participation,\u201d Juac said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Juac said South Sudan is entering a new stage of development after years of conflict and instability. \u201cSouth Sudan is a post-conflict country. We’ve been through lots of insecurities, problems. But we are already past that,\u201d Juac said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Juac said the country is increasingly attracting investor interest because of untapped opportunities in mining and other sectors. \u201cIt’s a very peaceful country right now, and there’s been a lot of development lately. We’ve seen a lot of investors coming in,\u201d Juac said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
According to Juac, South Sudan remains a young country with significant potential. \u201cSouth Sudan is a new country, very fresh, with a lot of opportunities,\u201d Juac said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
African Centre for International, Diplomatic, Economic and Strategic Studies Chief Executive Officer Dr Christian Pout said Africa must position mineral wealth as a driver of sustainable development rather than allowing resources to deepen inequality or dependency.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cAfrica is at the crossroads, and there are huge threats and also huge opportunities,\u201d Pout said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Pout said the Accra conference provides an opportunity to focus on how the continent can use current geopolitical and economic shifts to its advantage. \u201cThe first opportunity lies in understanding geopolitics and geoeconomy of our current world,\u201d Pout said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Pout said Africa must identify competitive advantages and build stronger cooperation between governments, civil society, academia, journalists and communities.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Pout also highlighted Cameroon\u2019s National Development Strategy 2030, known as SND30, saying the country is focusing on human capital, economic transformation and value addition. \u201cTransformative economy cannot be achieved without transforming our minerals, transforming our raw materials,\u201d Pout said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
–ChannelAfrica–<\/p>\n
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