Nigeria chairs African mining ministers group as Alake becomes pioneer chairman

Nigeria made significant strides in the global mining sector on Monday, February 5, by securing the leadership position in the newly established Africa Minerals Strategy Group.

Dele Alake, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, was unanimously chosen as the inaugural chairman of the group.

During the resolution signing ceremony, Alake urged African leaders to unite and collaborate effectively to ensure the optimal utilization of the continent’s mineral resources for mutual benefit.

The event which was held on the sidelines of the 30th edition of Investing in Africa Indaba, Cape Town, South Africa, was attended by ministers of mineral development of Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Chad, Botswana, Zambia and Namibia.

More than 15 countries have pledged support, with the list expected to grow as the AMSG under Nigeria’s leadership swings into action.

Alake, in a statement issued by his special assistant on media, Segun Tomori, stressed that the era of carting away solid minerals is over, charging countries on the continent to speak with one voice on value addition as a prerequisite for investment in the mining sector.

He said: “Today, there is an economic scramble for Africa. The critical metals needed for the energy transition are in Africa. Therefore, if we do not come together this time around and take our destinies into our own hands, we will go through the same harrowing experiences of the past. That is why we formed this body.

It will be recalled that Nigeria and Uganda in January rallied African Ministers of Solid Minerals/ Mineral Resources on the sidelines of the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) in Riyadh Saudi Arabia, on the need to unite and champion value addition in the mining sector to boost the economy of African countries.

“Let those who want our minerals know that if you go to country A, you have the same regulations and laws guiding the sector. You go to country B, you find the same. So, there is no divide and rule anymore. That is when we can show sincerity of purpose, and the world will begin to take Africa seriously. On behalf of our president, I pledge our full support to achieve our objectives.”