The Minister of Solid Minerals Development and Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), Dr. Oladele Alake, has called for stronger regional cooperation among African nations to position the continent as a formidable force in global mineral supply chains.
Africa Must Redefine Its Role
Speaking at the Kenya Mining Investment Conference and Exhibition 2026, Alake emphasized that Africa must urgently redefine its role in the global mineral economy. He stressed that such transformation can only be achieved through coordinated regional efforts rather than isolated national strategies.
Critical Minerals and New Industrial Era
Alake noted that Africa stands at the center of a new industrial era driven by critical minerals, clean energy technologies, digital transformation, and advanced manufacturing. While the continent possesses vast deposits of lithium, cobalt, manganese, graphite, gold, copper, nickel, and rare earth elements, it continues to capture only a fraction of the economic value generated by its resources.
Call for Harmonized Policies
The minister urged African nations to harmonize mining policies, facilitate cross-border infrastructure, promote intra-African trade, and strengthen regional mineral value chains under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He stressed that no African country acting alone could fully maximize the opportunities emerging from the rapidly evolving global minerals market.
Expansion of Africa Minerals Strategy Group
Alake highlighted the rapid expansion of the AMSG, established in January 2023 by 16 founding member states and now comprising 31 African countries. He described the group as the first truly continent-wide platform through which African countries are building a unified voice on minerals governance, value retention, and strategic positioning in global supply chains.
Advancing Cooperation
According to the minister, the group is advancing cooperation among member states to negotiate fairer terms with global partners, harmonize regulatory frameworks, develop shared infrastructure such as mineral corridors and processing hubs, and strengthen geological data systems to attract investment.
Need for Value Addition
Alake reiterated the urgent need for value addition across Africa's mining sector, noting that the future lies with countries that process, refine, manufacture, and innovate rather than export raw materials. He further stated that the ongoing restructuring of global supply chains presents Africa with a historic opportunity, but warned that success would require stronger governance, policy consistency, transparency, environmental responsibility, and investment-friendly climates.
