Search News

Other


Posted By OrePulse
Published: 06 Oct, 2025 08:04

Alake calls for new vision to industrialize Africa’s mineral resources

By: Western post

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development and Chairman of the African Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), Dr. Dele Alake, has called for a new vision to transform Africa from a raw minerals supplier into a global hub for mineral processing, innovation, and green industrialization.

Speaking at the African Mining Week in Cape Town, South Africa, themed “Vision & Strategy – Setting the Stage for Minerals Industrialization,” Alake said Africa’s mineral wealth must now drive its own industrial growth. “Africa’s minerals have powered industrialization elsewhere while our own economies remain under-industrialized. This paradox must end,” he declared.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Farouk Yabo, the minister emphasized the continent’s critical role in powering the 21st-century global economy through its vast mineral deposits, many of which are vital to clean energy, digital technology, and global security.

He revealed that Nigeria is promoting local beneficiation from gold refining to lithium processing, revoking dormant licenses to encourage credible investors, and strengthening governance to attract global partners. The minister added that the country is developing a national critical minerals strategy to guide sustainable growth.

At the ministerial roundtable of the AMSG, Alake highlighted Nigeria’s efforts to create a $1 trillion economy by 2030, noting that the government is digitizing mining processes to enhance data accessibility and mineral traceability.

He also disclosed that plans are underway to amend the 2007 Minerals and Mining Act to provide a stronger legislative framework for investment and ensure minerals originate only from licensed operators or registered artisanal and small-scale miners.

Echoing the position of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Alake urged African countries to map their mineral resources and strengthen supervision to ensure only licensed operators are involved in mining.

Nigeria was also represented at the country spotlight session, where Dr. Yabo presented investment opportunities in the solid minerals sector. The event was attended by mining ministers from DRC, Zimbabwe, and Sierra Leone, as well as delegates from Nigeria, Gambia, Ghana, and leading private sector players across the continent.

Related Articles