Nigeria Assumes Leadership of The Africa Minerals Strategy Group
Nigeria achieved a significant milestone in the global mining industry on Monday, as the country assumed leadership of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, a newly established consortium focused on the development and sustainability of the mining sector in Africa. Dele Alake, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, was unanimously elected as the inaugural chairperson of this esteemed group.
During the signing ceremony of the resolution, Mr. Alake urged African leaders to unite in order to maximize the benefits derived from the mineral resources present across the continent. The event, which took place during the 30th edition of Investing in Africa Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa, was attended by ministers of mineral development from several African countries including Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Chad, Botswana, Zambia, and Namibia. Over 15 countries have already pledged their support, with an anticipation of further growth in membership as the AMSG, now under Nigeria’s leadership, sets its plans into motion.
Mr. Alake emphasized the importance of value addition as a prerequisite for investment in the mining sector, stating that the era of simply extracting solid minerals without adding value is now a thing of the past. He underscored the significance of presenting a united front in addressing this issue, especially in the face of foreign interest in African mineral resources.
The Minister’s call for unity and value addition echoes a previous meeting in which Nigeria and Uganda, during the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, rallied African Ministers of Solid Minerals/Mineral Resources to champion these very principles in order to bolster the economies of African nations. Mr. Alake spoke fervently about the need for uniform regulations and laws in the sector, asserting that this measure would demonstrate Africa’s sincerity of purpose and result in the continent being taken more seriously on the global stage.
This latest development is a testament to the continent’s determination to take greater control of its mineral resources for the benefit of its people. Under Nigeria’s leadership, the Africa Minerals Strategy Group aims to promote sustainable mining practices and economic empowerment for African nations, thereby furthering the continent’s economic development.
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By working together and supporting initiatives such as the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, we can contribute to the development and prosperity of Africa as a whole. Let us stand united in this noble cause.
