Responsibility in Resource Extraction: Expectations and Reality

The energy transition demands vast quantities of mineral resources—lithium, cobalt, and nickel are indispensable for batteries, solar cells, and wind turbines. However, these resources often come from countries where human rights are neglected, child labour is tolerated, and environmental destruction is accepted. Germany, aiming to become climate-neutral by 2045, is heavily reliant on these imports and faces the question of how to reconcile its sustainability ambitions with the realities of supply chains.

The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) seeks to initiate change through binding due diligence obligations and projects such as “Climate Smart Mining”. Local processing industries are to be promoted, and governance systems in producing countries are to be made more transparent. Yet critics argue that these measures often exist only on paper or are undermined by economic interests. Implementing standards in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, where corruption and violence prevail, remains a colossal challenge.

The European Supply Chain Directive, which advocates for binding rules, also faces resistance from companies fearing higher costs. At the same time, it is questionable whether the EU can actually reduce its dependency on countries like China for resource processing.

A sustainable and just resource policy is urgently needed, yet the gap between expectations and reality remains significant. Germany and the EU are challenged not to achieve their climate goals at the expense of the poorest countries. The transition to responsible supply chains must not remain mere lip service—it must be accompanied by decisive political and economic support.

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When we organised a visit to Berlin in the summer between the Hon. Member of Parliament of Kenya, Kiringa RUKU, and the FiBS Research Institute for the Economics of Education and Social Affairs with Dieter Dohmen and his team, as well as the Kenyan Amb. Valerie RUGENE, to discuss how to promote vocational training and further education in rural areas in Kenya, it became clear to us that we need to not only talk, but above all, DO. Now Dieter is on the ground: 
GRASSROOTS BUSINESS DISCUSSIONS IN MBEERE NORTH FOR SUSTAINABLE ENTREPRENEURSHIP
The future of Kenya and Kenyans depends, among other things, on grassroots economic growth and community-developed solutions to the challenges faced by small and micro-enterprises in local communities.
In the morning, the Member of Parliament for Mbeere North, Hon Geoffrey Kiringa Rûkû, and international entrepreneurship experts met with boda boda riders from Nthawa and the SME (small and medium-sized enterprises) community from Siakago Town. Boda boda riders are motorcyclists or cyclists who work as informal taxi and delivery service providers in many African countries, particularly in East Africa. They transport passengers, goods or parcels quickly and flexibly, often in areas with poor infrastructure where larger vehicles have difficulty accessing. Boda-Bodas play a central role in the local economy by providing affordable and efficient transport. The aim was to better understand their experiences and knowledge of their businesses and to jointly develop sustainable entrepreneurial innovations.
The discussion was led by the managing director of FiBS (Research Institute for the Economics of Education and Social Affairs), Rill. FiBS is a research organisation based in Berlin, Germany, specialising in economic education and educational research. Together with a team of internationally recognised entrepreneurship experts and consultants, FiBS is helping the SME community in Mbeere North identify business opportunities that can drive sustainable economic recovery in the region.
What is FiBS?
The ‘Research Institute for the Economics of Education and Social Affairs’ is a leading research institute based in Berlin that focuses on analysing and developing strategies in the fields of the economics of education and social affairs. In particular, it examines how education and economic developments are linked and how innovative solutions can promote economic growth and social participation.

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