Dr. Alake Charges African Leaders To Boost Minerals Value Addition Prior Export

Striving for continental growth, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake on Wednesday tasked African nations to improve the status of their minerals before exportatation. 

According to him, this is inevitable to reposition Africa for speady growth and development. 

He spoke in Abuja during the opening session of the 4th African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS) 2025. 

The Minister said “We seek to build a future where Africa’s natural wealth is no longer a statistic in someone else’s report. We aspire to a continent where its natural wealth serves as a driving force for industrial growth, equity, and sustainable development.

"In line with the aspirations of Agenda 2063, this gathering marks a decisive step towards a development model anchored on our priorities.

"Today, Africa is at the crossroads. Our continent boasts a wealth of natural resources which hold immense potential for meeting sustainable development goals." 

On the history to be changed, he said "And let us ensure it is a history of dignity, of enterprise, of transformation. Here in Abuja, let us raise our collective voice, commit to real change, and begin building a future powered by African minerals, fueled by African energy, and led by African resolve.
Nigeria stands ready. Let us move forward, together!"

The Minister said that Nigeria’s progress in the solid minerals and improving value addition are due to the reforms the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration has put in place. 

To this end, Dr Alake reeled out the numerous achievements of the the reforms. 

He said "In 2023, the Ministry of Solid Minerals launched a seven‑point agenda focused on formalisation and value addition in mining. New policies now require every mining license to include a plan for local processing, and we have increased enforcement.
 
"These changes have spurred a surge of investment and revenue. Last year, Nigeria's mining sector secured over $800 million in investments for processing projects, while government revenues increased significantly. Specifically, sector revenues rose from ₦6 billion (2023) to ₦38 billion in 2024. 

"This six-fold jump reflects tight licensing, a crackdown on illegal mining, and a policy that promotes mineral processing in line with value addition. Licensing has expanded sharply under the reforms. 

"In Q1 2025 alone, the Mining Cadastre Office processed 955 title applications and approved 867 new mining licenses (512 exploration titles, 295 small‑scale leases, 60 quarry leases, five large mining leases). These licensing fees generated ₦6.95 billion for the government in just three months.
 
"The aggressive licensing drive (over 10,000 applications in one quarter), combined with higher costs and compliance checks, is a key reason for the revenue increase." 

Dr Alake continued "The government has commissioned Nigeria's first domestic lithium processing plants. For example, we inaugurated a $100 million lithium battery plant (Avatar Energy) in Nasarawa in May 2024, with a daily capacity of 4,000 tons, expected to create 4,000 jobs. 

"More plants are coming online: a $600 million lithium plant near the Kaduna‑Niger border (to be commissioned shortly) and a $200 million refinery on Abuja's outskirts are in advanced stages." he stated 

Delivering his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Faruk Yusuf Yabo, expressed the commitment of the Ministry to implement the “Renewed Hope Agenda” through partnerships, prioritizing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.

According to him, the summit is a platform for African countries to collectively attracting green investments, developing clean energy infrastructure, and repositioning the continent as a key player in the global energy transition. 

The Kenyan Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, Hassan Ali Joho commended the continent for identifying its problems 

He said it’s time for African countries to work together towards creating jobs and wealth that can transform the region and the people for global development.


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