African countries are working towards establishing a continental database of raw materials aimed at attracting investment, improving access to information and promoting research and value addition across the continent, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) said on Tuesday.

The Director-General of the RMRDC, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, disclosed this in Abuja, saying the initiative is being driven through the African Materials Research Society and other continental bodies. He said the database would provide a centralised platform for information on raw materials available in African countries, their quantities, locations and potential industrial applications.

“The goal is to ensure that investors, researchers and policymakers have access to reliable data that can guide investment decisions and support the development of value chains around our raw materials,” Ike-Muonso said. He added that the database would help African countries move away from exporting raw materials in their primary form and towards local processing and manufacturing.

The RMRDC said the initiative aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the continent’s broader push for industrialisation and economic diversification. It noted that the lack of reliable data on raw materials has been a major obstacle to attracting investment and developing local industries.

The council did not provide a timeline for the establishment of the database or details on how it would be funded and managed. It said further consultations with member countries and regional economic communities were ongoing.