President Tinubu Calls for an End to the Exploitation of Africa’s Mineral Resources
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on African nations to end the historical exploitation of the continent’s mineral resources and pursue a new era of value addition, industrialization and strategic cooperation. The remarks were delivered during a Presidential Courtesy Meeting with a delegation of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group led by H.E Dr. Oladele Henry Alake Chairperson of the AMSG Ministerial Steering Committee and H.E Moses Micheal Engadu, AMSG Secretary-General accompanied by the Honourable Ministers of Mining of South Sudan, Liberia and Kenya at the State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
President Tinubu emphasized that Africa possesses the resources required to power the industries of the future, but must increasingly capture greater value through local processing, manufacturing, innovation and coordinated continental action.
01. Ending the Exploitation of Africa’s Minerals
Addressing the AMSG delegation, President Tinubu observed that Africa has supplied the world with strategic minerals for generations while receiving only a fraction of the value created from them. He called for a decisive shift toward policies that enable African countries to process, refine and industrialize around their own mineral resources.
The President stressed that Africa’s mineral wealth should become a foundation for sustainable economic transformation, industrial competitiveness and long-term prosperity.
02. Building African Value Chains
The President emphasized the importance of strengthening local value addition, expanding mineral processing capacity and increasing African participation across global mineral value chains.
He noted that Africa’s resources should generate employment, industrial growth, technological advancement and sustainable development for African citizens.
03. Key Presidential Messages
- End the historical exploitation of Africa’s mineral resources.
- Expand local processing and beneficiation.
- Strengthen African ownership across mineral value chains.
- Promote regional cooperation on strategic minerals.
- Support institutions that advance African mineral interests.
04. Alignment with the AMSG Vision
The President’s remarks closely align with the objectives of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, which seeks to strengthen cooperation among African countries in mineral policy, strategic investment, responsible development, value addition and critical minerals security.
Nigeria’s leadership within AMSG reflects the country’s commitment to advancing a coordinated African approach to mineral development.
05. Continental Significance
The meeting highlighted the growing recognition among African leaders that the continent’s mineral resources must become catalysts for industrialization rather than remaining primarily exports of raw materials.
It also reinforced the role of AMSG as a platform for promoting coordinated African responses to global opportunities arising from the growing demand for critical minerals.
06. Event Context
The Presidential Courtesy Meeting formed part of the Abuja Milestone 2026 programme and brought together President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development and Chairperson of the AMSG Ministerial Steering Committee, Hon. Dr. Oladele Henry Alake, the Secretary-General of AMSG, Ministers, senior government officials and representatives of Member Nations. During the meeting, President Tinubu received the AMSG delegation, presided over the ratification ceremony and reaffirmed Africa’s commitment to responsible mineral development and continental cooperation.
