Revisiting the Resource Curse in the Age of Energy Transition: Cobalt Reserves and Conflict in Africa
Weihong Qi

TL;DR
This paper challenges traditional views by showing that cobalt reserves in Africa are linked to reduced local conflict due to increased government security, offering new insights into resource-related conflict dynamics amid energy transition.
Contribution
It provides a novel analysis of cobalt's impact on conflict, highlighting security measures over economic benefits as the key factor, which differs from prior focus on high-value minerals.
Findings
Cobalt-rich regions see less conflict due to security improvements.
Government security measures increase independently of cobalt's economic value.
Causal link established between cobalt deposits and conflict reduction.
Abstract
This study reevaluates the traditional understanding of the "political resource curse" by examining the unique impact of energy transition metals, specifically cobalt, on local-level conflicts in Africa. Contrary to previous studies that primarily focus on high-value minerals and their political outcomes resulted from substantial economic revenues, this study investigates cobalt's influence on local conflict. Despite its strategic importance, cobalt's limited commercial value presents a unique yet critical case for analysis. Different with the prevailing view that links mineral reserves with increased conflict, this research finds that regions rich in cobalt experience a reduction in conflict. This decrease is attributed to enhanced government security measures, which are implemented independently of the economic benefits derived from cobalt as a commodity. The study utilizes a…
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Taxonomy
TopicsNatural Resources and Economic Development · Mining and Resource Management
MethodsFocus
