Africa’s critical minerals endowment is indispensable to the clean-energy transition; yet, current supplychain governance, trade rules, and verification regimes keep most value, decision-making power, and data control outside the continent. A G20 cooperation agenda should therefore move beyond security of supply to rule-sharing that incorporates African institutions directly into global standard-setting, traceability, and certification. Practically, decision-making for African regulators in EU and OECD working groups must be prioritised.