Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has urged African countries to stop exporting their mineral resources without first capturing greater value through processing, industrialisation and manufacturing.
Senator Kashim Shettima made the call while representing President Bola Tinubu at the Third Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) High Level Roundtable in New York.
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Africa Must Benefit From Its’ Mineral Wealth
The Vice President questioned the idea of a wealthy Africa when communities living around mineral deposits continue to experience poverty.
He said Africa must move beyond simply extracting and exporting minerals and instead develop industries that create jobs, businesses and economic opportunities within the continent.
Senator Kashim Shettima also called for stronger cooperation among African countries, warning against competition for investment based on lower royalties, weaker local content requirements and excessive concessions.
Rather than competing against one another, he advocated for integrated markets, regional processing hubs and cross border mineral corridors that would give African countries greater scale and strengthen their position in global mineral supply chains.
Nigeria Highlights Mining Reforms
Senator Kashim Shettima pointed to Nigeria’s ongoing mining reforms, including efforts to promote local value addition, improve geological information, formalise artisanal mining and tackle illegal mining.
He also highlighted increasing mining revenues and investments in lithium processing in Nasarawa State as examples of the opportunities available when mineral resources are processed domestically.
The Vice President expressed support for the AMSG’s Mutual Assured Development (MADE) Framework, which calls for governments to provide predictable policies and credible institutions while investors contribute responsible capital, technology transfer, local value and long-term commitment.
He further urged countries to move the Continental Integration and Economic Assurance Declaration beyond its signing ceremony and into an implementation programme with clear timelines, financing arrangements and accountability.
According to Senator Kashim Shettima, the success of Africa’s mineral strategy should not be measured only by the amount of minerals extracted or the investments attracted.
He said its impact should eventually be reflected in better roads and railways, new factories, competitive African businesses, skilled employment and improved living conditions in mining communities.
He stressed that having mineral resources alone does not automatically guarantee prosperity.
Alake Proposes Mining Safety Facility
Meanwhile, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development and Chairman of the AMSG, Dele Alake, proposed the establishment of an African Artisanal Mining Formalisation and Safety Facility.
Dele Alake said the proposed facility could help African countries address the dangers associated with informal mining, including the frequent collapse of mining sites.
He said the mechanism could support the formation and licensing of mining cooperatives, provide basic geological assistance, improve access to safer equipment and strengthen occupational health and safety training.
It could also support environmental rehabilitation and emergency preparedness in major artisanal mining areas.
Africa, US Discuss Mineral Cooperation
The meeting brought together African ministers, development finance institutions, multilateral organisations and executives from mining, technology and mineral processing companies.
A representative of the United States Government and Special Adviser to the U.S. State Department on the Bureau of African Affairs, Chris Kulukundis, also expressed the U.S. government’s readiness to partner with Africa in harnessing its mineral resources.
A major highlight of the meeting was the signing of the Continental Integration and Economic Assurance Declaration by member countries.
The declaration is expected to establish a framework for greater continental cooperation on critical minerals, including mineral value addition and policy coordination.
