The Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) held its inaugural High Level Roundtable on the sidelines of the 79^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on 24^th September 2024 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm at 630 Second Avenue, New York, shining the light on “Africa’s Natural Resources Shaping the Future”.

The AMSG High Level Roundtable  convened by H.E Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, H.E Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi and H.E Moses Micheal Engadu, Secretary-General of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group.

The inaugural AMSG High Level Roundtable provided a strategic forum for Heads of State, Ministers, Government Representatives, and 150 Private Sector CEOs, Civil Society and Academia to network, discuss and work together to harness Africa’s vast natural resources and proven critical minerals reserves to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals while catalyzing the economic development of Africa and powering the global energy transition.

Opening and Keynote Addresses:

The opening and welcome remarks were made by Hon. Dr. Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development of Nigeria and Chairman, Africa Minerals Strategy Group together with H.E Moses Micheal Engadu, Secretary-General of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group. 

The Keynote Addresses were delivered by H.E President Bola Ahmed Tinubu represented by H.E Kashim Shettima, Vice President of Nigeria, President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera represented by Hon. Monica Chang’anamuno, Minister of Mining of Malawi and

Member States Remarks:

The Statement of the President of Sierra Leone H.E Julius Maada Bio was delivered by Hon. Julius Mattai, Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources and the Statement of the President of Liberia H.E Joseph Nyumah Boakai delivered by Hon. Eugene JM Kollie, Chair, Land, Mines, Energy, Natural Resources and Environmen, House of Representatives.

H.E Sheikh Shakboot bin Nahyan Al Nayhan, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, H.E Alparslan Bayrakta, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkey, H.E Alberto Castronovo, Cabinet Member of Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Mr. Stefano Marguccio, Deputy CEO of the UN Sustainable Energy for All and Hon. Sherif Elgabaly, Member of Egyptian Parliament and Vice President, Africa Parliamentary Union delivered their remarks affirming the commitment of their respective countries to partner and support Africa to harness her vast natural resources for sustainable development.

Roundtable Discussion.

The Secretary-General of AMSG H.E Moses Micheal Engadu moderated the roundtable discussion that was guided by four key questions. The interactive discussions were led by key discussants including Ms. Ayaan Adam, Senior Director & CEO AFC Capital Partners, Africa Finance Corporation, Mr. Andres Blanco, CEO, Xcalibur Smart Mapping, Ms. Namrata Thapar, Global Head, Metals & Mining, International Finance Corporation, Mr. Craig Dean, Executive Chairman & CEO, Gerald Group, Mr, Sang Yoon Lee, CEO, Bloom Technology, Prince Abed Ollenu, CEO Blaze Financial Services, Mr. Mohamed Serry, Chairman & CEO, Indigenes Mining, Oil & Gas, Dr. Mrs. Olayinka Fayomi, Chairman, Foreign Investors Network, Mr. Andreas Deutschmann, Managing Director Avalon Securities, Mr. Enzo Di Taranto, Founder Xzen TV and Mr. Mehdi Paryavi, Chairman & CEO, International Data Center Authority (IDCA).

The roundtable offered participants the opportunity to exchange experiences, lessons learned, provide policy guidance and agree on transformative actions and initiatives to harness Africa’s vast natural resources and proven critical minerals reserves to accelerate the achievement of the sustainable development goals, catalyze the economic development of Africa and power the global energy transition.

The AMSG Roundtable was guided by the following key questions:

1. Can Africa’s vast natural resources shape the future? How can we harness Africa’s vast natural resources and proven critical minerals reserves to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals while catalyzing the economic development of Africa and powering the global energy transition?
2. How do we achieve local beneficiation (value addition) of African Critical Minerals to power the global energy transition and Africa’s prosperity?
3. How can African Governments and Private Sector work together to unlock the potential of Africa’s vast natural resources for economic development?
4. How do we move from “Talk to Action” (Commitments)?

Commitments and Outcomes:

• Governments and Private Sector Leaders agreed to collaborate to harness Africa’s vast natural resources.
• Africa is Open for Business and Private Sector CEOs invited to take advantage of the public-private sector opportunities.
• Foreign Direct Investments:
  • IDCA to invest US$ 50 Billion in Africa;
  • AFC to increase funding in natural resources and to finance Smart Mapping through Xcalibur.
  • IFC to avail financing for private sector in minerals.
  • Bloom Technology to deploy Blockchain platform for revenue generation.
• Second edition of the AMSG High Level Roundtable to be held in September 2025.

Networking and Bilateral Meetings

The AMSG High Level Roundtable concluded with a Networking Reception and Cocktail which offered the Ministers and Private Sector CEOs the opportunity to hold meetings and continue conversations and engagements to attract more foreign direct investments and to promote opportunities in their respective countries.