Nigeria, AfDB push for African control of mineral wealth, local value addition

Nigeria and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have called for greater African ownership and control of the continent’s vast mineral resources, urging mineral-rich countries to embrace local value addition, regional collaboration and strategic financing to unlock sustainable economic growth.

Speaking at the forum, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, urged African nations to adopt a collective approach to mineral development rather than pursuing isolated national strategies, stressing that stronger regional cooperation would enable the continent to derive greater value from its abundant mineral resources.

Participants at the forum reaffirmed that stronger African cooperation, improved governance, strategic financing and greater control over mineral resources are essential to ensuring that the continent’s vast mineral wealth delivers broad-based and sustainable economic transformation.