By David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi

African ministers of mining, led by Nigeria’s Dr. Dele Alake, have proposed stricter measures to reduce raw mineral exports and boost value addition.

The measures, discussed at the Ministerial Roundtable of the Africa Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS) in Abuja, include increased licence fees, royalties, and charges, support for indigenous miners, and mandatory value addition for licences.

Dr. Alake, Chair of the African Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), urged member countries to control their mineral resources and leverage the global shift to green energy to maximize benefits.

He emphasized the importance of judiciously exploiting natural resources and effectively utilizing revenue for citizens’ benefit.

The AMSG Secretary-General, Moses Engadu, highlighted the Roundtable’s role in exchanging ideas, sharing experiences, and offering policy guidance for sustainable development.

Ministers from Malawi, Chad, and other countries presented concrete plans for infrastructure development, collaboration, and creation of an African fund for exploration and development.

Dr. Alake advocated for local content, mandating substantial indigenous representation in mining operations, and announced the upcoming launch of the “Africa for Africans” initiative and the Africa Minerals Development Fund (AMDF) to assist local miners in accessing funding.

The Ministerial Roundtable aimed to foster dialogue, sharing knowledge, and strengthening the AMSG’s focus on value addition for rapid economic development.

The summit brought together ministers from Nigeria, Uganda, Malawi, DRC, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Liberia, and Chad, along with private sector players.