Bangladesh, Oct. 12 -- North Africa is quietly undergoing one of the most consequential economic transformations of the 21st century. Once viewed primarily as a geopolitical crossroads between Europe, the Middle East, and sub-Saharan Africa, the region is now repositioning itself as a critical hub for global industry – particularly in the rapidly evolving supply chains surrounding critical minerals. While sub-Saharan Africa remains the heart of mineral extraction, North Africas growing strategic importance lies in its ability to link the mineral-rich south with the manufacturing and consumption powerhouses of Asia and Europe.

This shift is no coincidence. It is a calculated realignment of trade, infrastructure, and industrial strat...