The Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dr. Dele Alake on Tuesday called for deeper regional cooperation among African nations to claim a bigger slice of the global minerals economy.
Alake who is also Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, stated this at the Kenya Mining Investment Conference and Exhibition 2026.
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media Lara Owoeye, Minister Alake described Africa as being at the epicenter of an industrial shift fueled by critical minerals for clean energy, digital tech, and advanced manufacturing.
The continent holds vast reserves of lithium, cobalt, manganese, graphite, gold, copper, nickel, and rare earths—yet extracts only a sliver of their downstream value.
“For decades, Africa has exported raw materials and imported finished goods,” Alake said.
“This has stunted industrial growth, eroded economic resilience, and curbed job creation.”
No single African country can fully capitalize on the surging minerals market alone, he argued.
Instead, nations must harmonize mining policies, build cross-border infrastructure, boost intra-African trade, and fortify regional value chains under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“A fragmented Africa weakens our bargaining power. A united Africa strengthens our strategic relevance,” Alake said.
He praised the rapid growth of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, launched in January 2023 with 16 founding members and now encompassing 31 countries.
The group serves as Africa’s first pan-continental forum for aligning on mineral governance, retaining value domestically, and negotiating better terms with global partners. Initiatives include shared mineral corridors, processing hubs, unified regulations, and bolstered geological data to lure investors.
Dr. Alake stressed home the need for on-shore processing and manufacturing.
“Value addition isn’t just economic—it’s a development imperative,” he said.
“It generates youth jobs, drives industrialization, swells government coffers, and plants Africa firmly in tomorrow’s industries.”
Global supply-chain reshuffling offers a rare opening, he added—but only if paired with robust governance, steady policies, transparency, environmental stewardship, and investor-friendly rules.
Ultimately, Alake described minerals as a gateway to Africa’s industrial revival, sovereignty, and lasting prosperity.
“Through leadership, partnerships, and unity, Africa can move from resource-rich to value-rich,” the Minister noted.
