The continent of Africa is host to over 40% of global resources and yet the continent has lagged behind in terms of economic development in part, this is because of its inability to convert raw materials into finished products owing to a low manufacturing base. During the 10^th African Economic Conference in 2015 held in Kinshasa DRC, experts called on African countries to reduce their excessive dependency on raw material exports and imported consumer goods as a solution to addressing economic challenges and support the economic diversification.

Evidently, the biggest challenge the continent faces is that of failure to add value to its resources and continuing on the path of exporting raw materials while importing finished products.  

It is therefore evident that beneficiation (value addition) is the only option that will allow this resource rich continent to start competing with its peers. Through manufacturing, African countries will not just help create employment for their citizens but will also start realizing the full benefit from their resource wealth.

TF supports SME’s and large corporations that want to increase their production capacity through its network of partners in its quest to support the African continent to move from being the next exporter of raw materials to exporting finished goods.