The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has called on African nations to urgently shift from exporting raw materials to building industries that create jobs, wealth, and sustainable economic growth across the continent.
Alake made the call on Wednesday in Abuja while addressing journalists ahead of the 5th African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS) 2026, scheduled to hold from June 23 to 25 at the State House Conference Centre.
Represented by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company (NSMC), Mr. Martins Imonitie, the minister said Africa must seize the opportunities presented by the growing global demand for critical minerals and position itself as a major player in value addition and industrial development.
Speaking on the theme of the summit, “One Africa, One Resource Vision,” Alake said the continent stands at a crucial moment as countries worldwide race to secure supply chains needed for the global energy transition.
According to him, AFNIS 2026 is designed to promote a new development model where Africa becomes a centre of industrialisation, innovation and shared prosperity rather than remaining a supplier of raw materials to developed economies.
“Our resources must become catalysts for economic transformation, job creation, technological advancement, infrastructure development and long-term wealth creation for African people,” he stated.
The minister noted that since its inception five years ago, AFNIS has evolved into a leading continental platform for shaping policy and driving investments in the mining, energy and natural resources sectors.
Alake stressed that individual countries can no longer pursue isolated strategies in mining and energy development, advocating stronger regional cooperation to unlock Africa’s full economic potential.
He said collaboration among African nations is essential for developing critical mineral value chains, expanding energy infrastructure, attracting project financing, encouraging technology transfer and promoting responsible resource development.
To ensure meaningful outcomes, the minister explained that this year’s summit has been structured to focus on practical implementation rather than discussions alone. Activities will include sovereign meeting rooms, investor engagement sessions and project de-risking initiatives aimed at facilitating investments.
“The objective is that participants should leave Abuja with new partnerships, new investment opportunities and practical pathways for execution,” he said.
Alake disclosed that senior government officials and ministers from several African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Liberia and Mauritania, are expected to participate in the summit.
He further emphasized that Africa’s future prosperity will depend not on the abundance of its natural resources but on how effectively those resources are managed and transformed into economic value.
“History will not judge Africa by the resources beneath its soil. History will judge us by what we choose to do with those resources. The challenge before us is therefore not one of endowment, but of vision, leadership and execution,” he said.
Describing AFNIS 2026 as a significant statement of intent for the continent, Alake reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to fostering partnerships that will drive sustainable development and industrial growth across Africa.
The summit is expected to attract development finance institutions, sovereign wealth funds, commercial banks, technical experts, geoscientists and policymakers who will explore investment opportunities, industrial corridors and innovative financing models.
The minister also acknowledged the support of corporate partners backing the summit, including Romulus Mining, ASBA & Wisdom International Limited, Steron Mining Company Limited and Xcalibur Smart Mapping.