AMSG Secretary-General H.E Moses Micheal Engadu Calls for a New Era of African Mineral Cooperation at AFNIS 2026
H.E. Moses Micheal Engadu, Secretary-General of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, delivered the keynote address at the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS) 2026, calling for a new era of African mineral cooperation anchored on unity, value addition, geological intelligence, strategic investment and African ownership of mineral value chains.
The keynote challenged Africa to move beyond the export of raw minerals and instead build an integrated continental mineral economy driven by African leadership, investment, innovation and industrial transformation.
01. Africa Must Act Together
The Secretary-General emphasized that no single African country can fully realise the continent’s mineral potential in isolation. Africa’s strength lies in cooperation, coordinated policy and collective negotiation.
He called upon governments, industry and development partners to build institutions capable of advancing shared African interests across the mineral value chain.
02. A New Development Model
The address proposed a shift from resource extraction toward a comprehensive development model based on geological intelligence, exploration, beneficiation, mineral processing, manufacturing, finance and innovation.
The Secretary-General argued that Africa must no longer measure success by tonnes exported but by industries created, jobs generated, technologies developed and prosperity retained on the continent.
03. Key Messages
- Accelerate geological mapping and mineral exploration.
- Expand beneficiation and mineral processing across Africa.
- Strengthen African cooperation through AMSG.
- Mobilize strategic investment for mineral value chains.
- Promote responsible sourcing and mineral security.
- Build African ownership across global mineral supply chains.
04. AMSG’s Continental Vision
The Secretary-General reaffirmed AMSG’s vision of an Africa that discovers, develops, finances, processes and trades its minerals through coordinated institutions and strategic partnerships.
He highlighted flagship initiatives including the Africa Mineral Investment Fund, the Africa Minerals & Metals Exchange, the Madini Blockchain Platform, the Africa Responsible Mineral Sourcing Initiative and continental geological intelligence programmes.
05. Strategic Importance of AFNIS
The Secretary-General commended AFNIS for providing an important continental platform that brings together governments, investors, development finance institutions and industry leaders to advance Africa’s natural resource agenda.
He noted that the Summit continues to strengthen dialogue around investment, industrialisation and regional cooperation at a time when demand for critical minerals is reshaping the global economy.
06. Event Context
The keynote address was delivered during AFNIS 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria, one day after the historic Abuja Milestone 2026 ceremonies, which included Nigeria’s ratification of the AMSG Charter and the investiture of the Organization’s first constitutional leadership.
