Sub-Saharan Africa’s wealth is rooted in raw materials, but exporting them unprocessed leaves countries exposed to forces beyond their control. Without domestic refining or manufacturing, global price swings, supply-chain disruptions, and currency volatility translate directly into domestic economic shocks, hitting households, businesses, and public finances.
When crude oil prices rise or cocoa values fluctuate, nations without local processing bear the costs, importing instability alongside their exports.
Nigeria sends crude oil abroad,
