African economists and policymakers are intensifying calls for a fundamental shift in the continent’s trade strategy, warning that long-standing dependence on raw material exports continues to constrain economic transformation and long-term growth. For decades, many African economies have participated in global commerce

 Southern African countries are intensifying efforts to safeguard critical mineral resources from organized crime and illicit trade, signaling a decisive shift toward stronger regional coordination in protecting what is now viewed as a strategic economic frontier. The move follows a high-level regional