Energy transition diplomacy: The EU’s pursuit of Africa's critical minerals for renewable energy at whose expense?

The global push to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 accelerates the transition to clean and renewable energy. This shift requires renewable energy sources and a steady supply of critical minerals essential for low-emission technologies. Africa is well-positioned to contribute to this transition, with abundant reserves of renewable energy potential and critical raw materials such as cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements. In contrast, the European Union (EU) Member States face mineral resources and renewable energy capacity limitations. As a result, the EU is advancing an “Energy Transition Diplomacy” strategy—building strategic partnerships with African countries to secure access to electricity and critical raw materials needed for its green growth agenda. Drawing on existing partnership agreements between the EU and two African nations—Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)—we critically examine the implications of the EU's strategies for sourcing energy-related and strategic raw materials from Africa. Our review suggests that while these partnerships may support Europe's green growth goals, they risk reinforcing historical patterns of unequal exchange. Specifically, the EU's approach may perpetuate Africa's role as a supplier of raw materials without sufficient investment in local value addition. This dynamic exacerbates existing structural inequalities in the global economy. Our research underscores the need for policy frameworks that promote more equitable and just energy transitions that ensure mutual benefit, support local capacity building, and avoid replicating extractive models of the past.