Exporting Raw Materials Only to Import Finished Goods Isn’t Africa’s Destiny but Policy Failure- Otumfuo
The overlord of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has described Africa’s cycle of exporting raw materials and importing finished products as a “policy failure, not destiny.”
Speaking at the Museum of King Jan III’s Palace at Wilanów on May 29, 2026, he called for urgent investment in processing, storage and industrial manufacturing.
His Majesty stated that Africa cannot forever ship unprocessed goods abroad.
“Partnership must embrace industry. Africa cannot remain a supplier of raw materials forever. We cannot continue exporting minerals and importing mineral products.
“We cannot continue exporting timber and importing furniture. We cannot continue exporting cocoa and importing chocolate. This is not destiny but policy failure.”
Otumfuo noted that this error can be corrected through partnership in mineral beneficiation, timber furniture production, and cocoa processing, which would create skilled jobs, deepen technology transfer, and keep more money on the continent.
“What policy has failed to do, partnership can correct.”
Story by Hajara Fuseini
Click to read more: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/
