Juliet Ezeh
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has called for stronger regional cooperation among African countries to reposition the continent as a major force in global mineral supply chains, warning that continued fragmentation could prevent Africa from fully benefiting from its vast mineral wealth.
Alake made the call at the Kenya Mining Investment Conference and Exhibition 2026 in Nairobi, where he addressed policymakers, investors and mining sector stakeholders from across the continent.
His remarks were contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Assistant on Media, Lara Owoeye-Wise.
The minister said Africa is currently positioned at the centre of a global industrial transition driven by rising demand for critical minerals used in clean energy systems, digital technologies and advanced manufacturing industries. He noted that despite this strategic advantage, African countries continue to earn only a fraction of the total value generated from their natural resources.
According to him, the continent’s long-standing reliance on exporting raw materials while importing finished goods has limited industrial growth and reduced job creation opportunities.
“For decades, Africa has remained largely an exporter of raw materials and an importer of finished products. This model has constrained industrial growth, weakened economic resilience and limited job creation across our nation,” Alake said.
He stressed that the evolving structure of the global minerals market presents both opportunities and risks for African economies, adding that no single country can fully maximize these opportunities in isolation.
Alake therefore urged African nations to adopt a coordinated strategy that strengthens collective bargaining power and enhances the continent’s position in global supply chains.
“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.
He emphasized that fragmented approaches to mineral development weaken Africa’s influence in global negotiations and reduce its ability to shape fair trade outcomes.
“A fragmented Africa weakens our bargaining power. A united Africa strengthens our strategic relevance,” he added.
The minister called for the harmonization of mining regulations across African countries to create a more predictable and investment-friendly environment. He also advocated for the development of cross-border infrastructure to support mineral transportation, processing and trade within the continent.
Alake further urged greater use of the African Continental Free Trade Area framework to boost intra-African trade in minerals and processed goods, noting that such integration would reduce dependency on external markets.
He highlighted the role of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, describing it as a growing platform for coordination among African nations in the mining sector.
According to him, the group, which was established in January 2023 by 16 member states, has expanded to 31 countries, reflecting increasing commitment to a shared minerals development agenda across the continent.
He said the platform is helping African countries present a unified voice in global negotiations, improve regulatory systems, and retain more value from their mineral resources.
“The Group is advancing cooperation among member states to negotiate fairer terms with global partners, harmonise regulatory frameworks, develop shared infrastructure such as mineral corridors and processing hubs, and strengthen geological data systems to attract investment,” he said.
Alake said one of the key priorities of the group is to move African economies away from raw material dependency and toward value-added production within the continent.
He described value addition as central to Africa’s economic transformation, arguing that it plays a critical role in industrialization and long-term development.
“Value addition is not merely an economic aspiration; it is a development imperative. It creates jobs for our youth, stimulates industrialisation, expands government revenues and positions Africa competitively in the industries of the future,” he said.
He added that global supply chain restructuring presents a rare opportunity for Africa to reposition itself, but warned that success would depend on the implementation of consistent policies and strong governance systems.
According to him, African governments must prioritize transparency in mining operations, ensure environmental sustainability, and create stable regulatory environments capable of attracting long-term investment.
Alake said discussions on Africa’s mineral wealth must go beyond extraction and focus on broader economic transformation and industrial development.
“The conversation around minerals goes beyond mining. It is fundamentally about Africa’s industrial future, economic sovereignty and sustainable prosperity,” he said.
He noted that Africa holds a significant share of global critical mineral reserves, including lithium, cobalt, manganese, graphite and rare earth elements, which are essential for electric vehicles, renewable energy systems and advanced electronics manufacturing.
However, he said the continent continues to lose substantial revenue due to limited processing capacity, inadequate infrastructure and reliance on imported finished goods.
Alake said addressing these challenges requires deliberate policy alignment across African nations to ensure that mineral wealth translates into industrial growth and economic diversification.
He reiterated that stronger regional cooperation would enable Africa to move from being a supplier of raw materials to a producer of high-value industrial goods.
The minister expressed confidence that with coordinated efforts, Africa could strengthen its position in global markets and achieve greater economic independence.
“Through visionary leadership, strategic partnerships and continental cooperation, Africa can transition from being merely resource-rich to becoming truly value-rich,” he said.
Alake’s remarks come as African countries continue to explore strategies to maximize benefits from their mineral resources amid rising global demand for critical inputs used in green energy and digital transformation.
Efforts such as the African Continental Free Trade Area and regional initiatives like the Africa Minerals Strategy Group are expected to play a significant role in shaping the future of the continent’s mining sector and industrial development trajectory.