Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake has been elected the inaugural chair for the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, marking a significant stride in the country’s influence in the sector.
The unanimous election of the minister took place during the 30th edition of the ‘Investing in Africa Indaba’ in Cape Town, South Africa.
Addressing fellow African leaders at the signing of the resolution, Alake emphasised the necessity for a united front to maximise the benefits derived from the continent’s mineral resources. Ministers from countries including Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Chad, Botswana, Zambia and Namibia attended the event, demonstrating a broad regional commitment to the initiative.
Alake underscored the end of an era where solid minerals were merely extracted without significant value addition. He urged African nations to speak with one voice on value addition as a prerequisite for attracting investment in the mining sector. “Today, there is an economic scramble for Africa. The critical metals needed for the energy transition are in Africa. Therefore, if we do not come together this time around and take our destinies into our hands, we will go through the same harrowing experiences of the past. That is why we formed this body,” stated Alake.
The statement by the minister’s special assistant on media, Segun Tomori highlighted Nigeria’s earlier efforts in January when it, alongside Uganda, rallied African ministers of solid minerals/mineral resources at the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The focus was on the urgent need to unite and champion value addition in the mining sector to boost the economies of African countries.
Alake concluded by emphasising the importance of demonstrating a unified front with consistent regulations and laws across African countries involved in the mining sector. He pledged Nigeria’s full support to achieve the objectives of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, signalling the country’s commitment to fostering collaboration and ensuring Africa’s prominence in the global mining landscape.
