Vice-President Kashim Shettima calls on African countries to stop exporting raw materials and instead add value through local processing, arguing that doing so strengthens economic control and improves job creation. Speaking on the issue, he frames the policy shift as a way for countries to better manage their natural resources rather than relying on external buyers for raw commodities.
Across the reports from The Punch, Shettima’s core message is that exporting unprocessed materials limits industrial development and the benefits African economies can gain from their resources. He advocates for policies that encourage local industries to process raw inputs domestically, with the goal of expanding participation in global trade on more favorable terms.
The articles present the intervention as part of broader economic development thinking, emphasizing industrialization and value addition as mechanisms to increase employment and grow national revenues. The coverage does not provide detailed figures or specific policy measures, but it highlights the principle of shifting from raw exports to local processing.
