Africa Must Move Beyond Raw Mineral Exports- Dele Alake

Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has called for greater cooperation among African countries to move beyond the export of raw minerals and develop local value chains that create jobs and retain more wealth on the continent.

Alake made the call at the 3rd High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group in New York, where discussions focused on strengthening Africa’s position in the global critical minerals economy.

The minister said Africa’s critical minerals are increasingly important to the technologies and industries driving the global economy, stressing that the continent must not remain merely a supplier of raw materials.

According to Alake, African countries must work together to expand mineral processing, manufacturing and innovation within the continent.

He said the newly unveiled Continental Integration and Economic Assurance Declaration represents a shift from policy discussions to practical implementation.

“Through the newly unveiled Continental Integration and Economic Assurance Declaration, we are moving past policy talk into real execution,” Alake stated.

He explained that African countries are aligning their policies and establishing dedicated financing mechanisms to support bankable projects across the continent.

The minister argued that such measures would help African countries capture greater value from their mineral resources while creating employment and supporting industrial development.

“ Africa is no longer a passive bystander in the global economy. We are building the industries and taking control of our own wealth,” Alake said.