Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake, has urged African nations to abandon the colonial-era model of exporting raw materials and instead unite to dominate the global mineral supply chain, in order to enforce continental economic sovereignty.
Alake, who also serves as the Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), threw the challenge yesterday at the Kenya Mining Investment Conference and Exhibition 2026.
He was quoted in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Lara Owoeye-Wise to have argued that Africa is the heartbeat of the modern industrial revolution.
The Minister noted that from lithium and cobalt to rare earth elements, the continent holds the keys to the world’s clean energy and digital future—yet it currently captures only a “fraction” of the resulting wealth.
“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 nations,” Alake told the assembly of investors and policymakers.
The Minister’s message was clear: the era of “going it alone” is over. He emphasized that a fragmented approach by individual nations only serves to weaken Africa’s bargaining power against global industrial giants.
“A fragmented Africa weakens our bargaining power. A united Africa strengthens our strategic relevance,” he noted, stressing that the transformation of the continent’s fortunes must begin with deep-seated regional cooperation.
To bridge this gap, Alake urged for the immediate harmonization of mining policies and the development of cross-border infrastructure, such as shared mineral corridors and processing hubs, under the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Evidence of this shifting tide is seen in the rapid expansion of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG). Founded in January 2023 with 16 members, the group has nearly doubled in size to 31 countries under Alake’s leadership.
He described the AMSG as the continent’s first unified voice, designed to negotiate fairer terms with global partners and strengthen geological data systems to attract high-quality investment.
Central to Alake’s vision is the transition from mining to manufacturing. He warned that the future of the global economy belongs to regions that can refine and innovate, rather than those that simply dig holes in the ground.
“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 stated.
While acknowledging that the current restructuring of global supply chains offers Africa a “historic opportunity,” Alake cautioned that success is not guaranteed. He called for African governments to ensure policy consistency, transparency, and environmental responsibility to create an investment-friendly climate.
Closing his address with a vision of a self-reliant continent, Alake remarked that the mineral conversation is ultimately about Africa’s “economic sovereignty.”
“Through visionary leadership, strategic partnerships and continental cooperation, Africa can transition from being merely resource-rich to becoming truly value-rich,” he concluded.
