How Africa can maximise global mineral economy, by Alake
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake, has called for a new era of strategic cooperation among African countries in order to maximise opportunities from their natural resources and
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake, has called for a new era of strategic cooperation among African countries in order to maximise opportunities from their natural resources and dominate the global mineral supply chain.
Alake, who doubles as Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), spoke yesterday at the Kenya Mining Investment Conference and Exhibition 2026.
He said Africa is the heartbeat of the modern industrial revolution with several natural resources, noting that from lithium and cobalt to rare earth elements, the continent holds the keys to the world’s clean energy and digital future.
He however lamented that the continent currently captures only a “fraction” of the resulting wealth from its natural endowments.
“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 said.
According to him, for Africa to optimize its importance in global value-chain, the era of “going it alone” is over as fragmented approach by individual nations only serves to weaken Africa’s bargaining power against global industrial giants.
He said: “A fragmented Africa weakens our bargaining power. A united Africa strengthens our strategic relevance”.
He pointed out that the transformation of the continent’s fortunes must begin with deep-seated regional cooperation.
He called for the immediate harmonisation 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.
He said Africa must transit from mining to manufacturing, warning 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,” Alake said.
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Lara Owoeye-Wise, Alake acknowledged that the current restructuring of global supply chains offers Africa a “historic opportunity,” but 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.
He emphasised the importance of minerals management in the vision of a self-reliant Africa, stressing 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,” Alake said.
