By: Mining Focus Africa

Africa is taking a stronger stance on the future of its critical minerals, with governments and development finance institutions calling for greater African ownership of the continent’s vast natural resources and increased investment in local value addition.

The renewed commitment was made during the Ministerial Forum on Critical Minerals, Value Chain and Beneficiation held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where policymakers agreed that Africa must move beyond exporting raw minerals and instead build integrated industries capable of creating jobs, attracting investment and driving long-term economic growth.

Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, urged mineral-rich countries to adopt a unified continental strategy rather than pursuing independent national policies. He said Africa possesses the resources needed to become a global industrial powerhouse but has yet to fully benefit from its mineral wealth.