Nigeria and AfDB Push for African Control of Minerals

Nigeria and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have called for enhanced African control over the continent's mineral resources to improve economic value. This was articulated during the Ministerial Forum on Critical Minerals, Value Chain and Beneficiation: Pathways for African Transformation, held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

Nigeria's Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, urged fellow ministers from mineral-producing countries to adopt a strategic approach to interdependence and regional cooperation.

He stated that Africa's vast mineral wealth could yield greater benefits if countries collaborate rather than pursue isolated national strategies. Dr.

Sidi Ould Tah, President of the AfDB, pointed out the paradox of Africa's immense mineral wealth not translating into significant gains in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), highlighting the need for data sovereignty, regional collaboration, and strategic financing to address this issue.