Cape Town (South Africa), Feb. 6, 2024 – Dele Alake, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, has been appointed Chairman of the newly established Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG).
Alake was unanimously appointed as the inaugural meeting of the group held on the sidelines of the 30th Investing in Africa Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa.
The event was attended by ministers of mineral development of Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Chad, Botswana, Zambia and Namibia.
More than 15 countries have pledged support, with the list expected to grow as the AMSG under Nigeria’s leadership swings into action.
During the resolution signing ceremony, Alake urged African leaders to unite and collaborate effectively to ensure the optimal utilization of the continent’s mineral resources for mutual benefit.
Segun Tomori, the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, said Alake said the era of carting away solid minerals was over and urged African nations to speak with one voice on value addition as a prerequisite for any investment in the mining sector.
“Today, there is an economic scramble for Africa. The critical metals needed for the energy transition are in Africa. Therefore, if we do not come together this time around and take our destinies into our own hands, we will go through the same harrowing experiences of the past. That is why we formed this body.
“Let those who want our minerals know that if you go to country A, you have the same regulations and laws guiding the sector. You go to country B, you find the same. So, there is no divide and rule anymore.
“That is when we can show sincerity of purpose, and the world will begin to take Africa seriously. On behalf of our president, I pledge our full support to achieve our objectives.”
