The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake, has called for a united African front to stop the export of raw minerals and secure a stronger position in global supply chains.
Alake, who is also Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), spoke on Monday at the Kenya Mining Investment Conference and Exhibition 2026.
*“Fragmented Africa Weakens Bargaining Power”*
He said Africa is at the centre of a new industrial era driven by lithium, cobalt, manganese, graphite, copper, nickel, rare earths, and gold, yet captures “only a fraction” of the true value of its resources.
“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,” Alake said.
He warned that no African country acting alone can maximize opportunities in the fast-changing global minerals market.
“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. “A fragmented Africa weakens our bargaining power. A united Africa strengthens our strategic relevance.”
*Push for Value Addition, Joint Infrastructure*
Alake urged African states to harmonise mining policies, build cross-border infrastructure, and strengthen regional mineral value chains under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“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 stressed that processing, refining, manufacturing, and innovation must replace raw exports if Africa is to move from “resource-rich to truly value-rich.”
*AMSG Now 31 Countries Strong*
The Minister noted that the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, founded in January 2023 with 16 members, has now grown to 31 African countries. He described it as the first continent-wide platform giving Africa “a unified voice on mineral governance, value retention and strategic positioning.”
According to him, AMSG is working to negotiate fairer terms with global partners, harmonise regulations, develop shared mineral corridors and processing hubs, and strengthen geological data systems to attract investment.
*Governance, Transparency Key*
Alake said the restructuring of global supply chains offers Africa a historic opportunity, but success depends on stronger governance, policy consistency, transparency, environmental responsibility, and investment-friendly climates.
He concluded that the minerals conversation “goes beyond mining” and is about “Africa’s industrial future, economic sovereignty and sustainable prosperity.”
“Through visionary leadership, strategic partnerships and continental cooperation, Africa can transition from being merely resource-rich to becoming truly value-rich,” Alake said.
