Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has urged African countries to end decades of exporting mineral resources without capturing sufficient value through processing, industrialisation and manufacturing.
Shettima, who spoke on behalf of President Bola Tinubu at the Third Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) High-Level Roundtable in New York, said Africa could not claim to be wealthy when communities located around its mineral deposits continued to live in poverty.
He called for stronger continental coordination, cautioning African countries against competing for investment by offering lower royalties, weaker local-content requirements and excessive concessions to investors.
Instead, the Vice President advocated integrated markets, regional processing hubs and cross-border mineral corridors that would enable African countries to achieve greater economies of scale and strengthen their position in global mineral supply chains.
Shettima highlighted ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s mining sector, including efforts to promote local value addition, improve geological data, formalise artisanal mining and combat illegal mining.
He also cited increasing mining revenues and investments in lithium processing in Nasarawa State as examples of the opportunities available through domestic mineral beneficiation.
The Vice President expressed support for the AMSG’s Mutual Assured Development (MADE) Framework, stressing that governments must provide predictable policies and credible institutions, while investors should bring responsible capital, technology transfer, local value creation and long-term commitment.
He also called for the Continental Integration and Economic Assurance Declaration to move beyond its signing ceremony and become an actionable programme backed by clear timelines, financing mechanisms and accountability.
According to Shettima, the success of Africa’s mineral strategy should ultimately be measured by tangible improvements such as roads, railways, factories, competitive African businesses, skilled employment and prosperous mining communities.
He stressed that the mere possession of mineral resources could not guarantee economic prosperity.
Alake Proposes Artisanal 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.
Alake said the proposed facility would help address the persistent challenges associated with informal mining and reduce fatalities arising from unsafe mining operations across the continent.
He cited recent mining disasters in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic and Sudan, where dozens of miners reportedly died following the collapse of mining sites.
According to him, the proposed mechanism could assist member states in accelerating the formation and licensing of mining cooperatives, providing basic geological support, improving access to safer equipment, delivering occupational health and safety training, supporting environmental rehabilitation and strengthening emergency preparedness in major artisanal mining areas.
The meeting was attended by African ministers from member countries, development finance institutions, multilateral organisations and senior executives from mining, technology and mineral-processing companies.
A representative of the United States Government and Special Adviser to the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, Chris Kulukundis, also attended the meeting and expressed the US government’s readiness to partner with African countries to develop the continent’s mineral resources.
A major highlight of the event was the signing of the Continental Integration and Economic Assurance Declaration by member countries.
The declaration is expected to establish a new continental framework for cooperation on critical minerals, with a focus on mineral value addition, policy coordination and other areas aimed at strengthening Africa’s role in global mineral supply chains.
