Africa must move beyond exporting raw minerals and begin investing in industries capable of transforming its natural resources into sustainable economic prosperity, Stephen Kuria has declared at the ongoing Year of Return Africa (YORA) Summit & Expo 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya.
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Kuria made the call while delivering the Future Builders Opening Keynote, titled “The Africa We Must Build by 2035,” at Broadwalk Mall, Westlands, on Wednesday, where he challenged African governments, investors and young entrepreneurs to position the continent for the next wave of global technological development.
Drawing from his professional experience in Australia’s mining industry and mining operations in Tanzania, Kuria identified artificial intelligence, robotics, battery storage and advanced technologies as major sectors that could shape the global economy over the coming decade.
“Critical minerals are the oil of the future,” Kuria declared, emphasising the growing strategic importance of Africa’s mineral resources to technological advancement, clean energy and industrial development.
He noted that major economies, including the United States, Australia and Canada, were increasingly focusing on securing critical mineral supplies, warning that African countries must develop strategies to benefit from the expanding global market.
Kuria questioned why African countries continued to concentrate primarily on mineral extraction and processing without adequately positioning themselves within the advanced industries that depend on those resources.
He also highlighted the importance of battery storage technology, explaining that renewable energy development would require significant investment in systems capable of storing electricity for industrial and commercial use.
Turning to Africa’s rapidly growing youthful population, Kuria challenged leaders to stop treating population growth as an automatic guarantee of economic prosperity.
“How do we make Africa’s population a wealthy and healthy population, not just screaming the numbers?” he asked.
According to him, Africa’s demographic advantage must be supported by investment in education, innovation, industrial capacity and productive employment if the continent is to achieve meaningful economic transformation.
Kuria further encouraged young Africans to prepare for the opportunities and disruptions associated with artificial intelligence and automation, stressing that the next generation must become active participants in emerging industries rather than passive consumers of foreign technology.
His keynote reinforced the central message of YORA Summit 2026, which seeks to connect African enterprise, investment, technology and strategic partnerships in building a more competitive continental economy.
As delegates continue discussions under the summit’s “Build Africa” programme, Kuria’s presentation has placed fresh emphasis on the need for Africa to translate its natural wealth and youthful energy into globally competitive industries before 2035.
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