Says regional cooperation and value addition are key to unlocking Africa’s vast mineral wealth and driving industrial growth

By ifeoma Onyekachi

Africa must move beyond fragmented approaches and act collectively to secure a stronger position in the global minerals economy, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, has said.

Speaking at the 2026 Kenya Mining Investment Conference and Exhibition, Alake urged African countries to deepen regional collaboration in order to maximise the continent’s vast mineral resources and benefit from shifting global supply chains.

The minister, who also chairs the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), described the continent as pivotal to a new industrial era driven by critical minerals, clean energy technologies, digital transformation and advanced manufacturing.

The two-day conference, themed “Partnership for Prosperity: Advancing Value-Led Mining in Kenya,” ended on Wednesday.

In a statement issued in Abuja by his Special Assistant on Media, Lara Wise, Alake noted that despite Africa’s abundant deposits of lithium, cobalt, manganese, graphite, gold, copper, nickel and rare earth elements, only a limited share of their economic value is currently realised.

He observed that Africa has long operated as an exporter of raw materials while relying on imports of finished goods — a pattern he said has stifled industrial growth, weakened economic resilience and constrained job creation.

According to him, no single African country can fully harness the opportunities in the fast-evolving global minerals market without coordinated action.

“The time has come for Africa to redefine its place within the global mineral economy, and that transformation must begin with regional cooperation,” he said.

Alake called for the harmonisation of mining policies, development of cross-border infrastructure, promotion of intra-African trade and strengthening of regional value chains under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He stressed that unity would enhance Africa’s bargaining power in global negotiations, while fragmentation would continue to undermine its strategic relevance.

Highlighting progress within the AMSG, Alake said membership had grown from 16 countries at its inception in 2023 to 31, reflecting increasing commitment to a common continental agenda.

He said the group is working to help member states negotiate fairer agreements, align regulatory frameworks and develop shared infrastructure, including mineral corridors and processing hubs. It is also strengthening geological data systems to attract investment.

The minister underscored the urgency of value addition in the mining sector, noting that countries that prioritise processing, refining and manufacturing would be better positioned in the global economy.

“Value addition is not merely an economic aspiration; it is a development imperative. It creates jobs, drives industrialisation, increases government revenue and strengthens Africa’s competitiveness,” he said.

Alake added that while the restructuring of global supply chains presents a rare opportunity for Africa, success would depend on improved governance, policy consistency, transparency, environmental sustainability and investor-friendly frameworks.

He emphasised that mineral resources should be seen not just in terms of extraction, but as a foundation for Africa’s industrial future, economic sovereignty and long-term prosperity.

“With visionary leadership, strategic partnerships and continental cooperation, Africa can transition from being resource-rich to truly value-rich,” he said.