The Minister of Solid Minerals Development and Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, Oladele Alake, has called for stronger regional cooperation among African countries to reposition the continent as a major force in global mineral supply chains.
Alake made the call at the Kenya Mining Investment Conference and Exhibition 2026, warning that Africa risks missing out on the full benefits of its vast mineral resources if it continues to operate in isolation.
This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Assistant on Media, Lara Owoeye-Wise. According to the statement, the minister said Africa is at the centre of a new global industrial shift driven by demand for critical minerals used in clean energy technologies, digital systems, and advanced manufacturing.
Despite this advantage, he said the continent still captures only a small share of the value generated from its natural 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 across our countries,” Alake said.
He stressed that the current structure of the global minerals market presents both a risk and an opportunity for African countries, noting that no single country can maximise the benefits alone. “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.
Alake urged African nations to align their policies and work together to build stronger and more competitive mineral value chains across the continent.
He said, “A fragmented Africa weakens our bargaining power. A united Africa strengthens our strategic relevance.”
The minister called for harmonisation of mining regulations, development of cross-border infrastructure, and promotion of intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area. He also highlighted the growing influence of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, describing it as a key platform for driving continental coordination in the sector.
According to him, the group, which was established in January 2023 by 16 member states, has expanded to 31 countries, reflecting an increasing commitment to a shared minerals development agenda.
He said the platform is helping African countries build a common voice in global negotiations, improve governance, and retain more value from mineral resources. “The Group is advancing cooperation among member states to negotiate fairer terms with global partners, harmonise regulatory frameworks, develop shared infrastructure such as mineral corridors and processing hubs, and strengthen geological data systems to attract investment,” he said.
Alake emphasised that the future of Africa’s mining sector lies in value addition rather than continued export of raw materials. “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 added that the ongoing restructuring of global supply chains presents a rare opportunity for Africa to reposition itself, but warned that success would depend on reforms and improved governance.
According to him, African countries must ensure policy consistency, transparency, environmental responsibility, and investment-friendly conditions to attract long-term capital.
Alake noted that discussions around minerals should not be limited to extraction alone, but should focus on broader economic transformation. “The conversation around minerals goes beyond mining. It is fundamentally about Africa’s industrial future, economic sovereignty, and sustainable prosperity,” he said.
He expressed optimism that with the right strategy, Africa can move beyond its traditional role as a supplier of raw materials. “Through visionary leadership, strategic partnerships and continental cooperation, Africa can transition from being merely resource-rich to becoming truly value-rich,” he added.
Africa holds a significant share of the world’s critical minerals, including lithium, cobalt, manganese, graphite, and rare earth elements, key inputs in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and electronics manufacturing.
However, the continent continues to lose billions of dollars annually due to limited local processing capacity, weak infrastructure, and dependence on imports of finished products.
Analysts note that efforts such as the African Continental Free Trade Area and regional platforms like the Africa Minerals Strategy Group could play a decisive role in reversing this trend and unlocking industrial growth across the continent.
