Nigeria Takes the Lead in African Mining Alliance

Nigeria has emerged as the leader in the establishment of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) following the election of Dr. Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, as the inaugural chair of the group. Emphasizing the significance of African leaders coming together to maximize the benefits of their mineral resources, Dr. Alake during the signing of the resolution stressed the economic importance of African mineral resources, particularly in the context of the global energy transition.

Dr. Alake underscored the necessity for African countries to collaborate in order to avoid past exploitation and to take charge of their own destinies, thereby providing the impetus behind the formation of the AMSG.

In a statement released by Segun Tomori, the Special Assistant to the Minister, Dr. Alake conveyed that the era of foreign exploitation of Africa’s mineral wealth had concluded. He advocated for a unified approach by African countries to emphasize value addition as a prerequisite for investment in the mining sector, along with the implementation of consistent regulations and laws across African countries, demonstrating sincerity of purpose and garnering international respect for African mineral resources.

The event, which transpired during the 30th edition of the Investing in Africa Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa, was attended by various Ministers of Mineral Development from countries including Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Chad, Botswana, Zambia, and Namibia. Over 15 countries have pledged their support for the AMSG under Nigeria’s guidance, and it is anticipated that more countries will join as the group becomes operational.

The initiative to establish the AMSG was set into motion by Nigeria and Uganda in January, where they convened African Ministers of Solid Minerals/Mineral Resources at the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The main objective was to unify African countries and advocate for value addition in the mining sector to enhance their economies.

The formation of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group led by Nigeria signifies a significant stride for the African mining industry. The collaborative approach and commitment to promoting responsible and sustainable mining practices evince Africa’s preparedness to take control of its mineral resources. As the AMSG gains momentum under Nigeria’s leadership, it is expected to engender positive changes in the African mining sector.