African Leaders Push for Local Processing of Mineral Resources

African countries have been urged to strengthen cooperation in developing their mineral resources, attracting investment, creating jobs and ensuring the continent derives greater economic benefits from its vast mineral wealth.

The call was made at the 2nd Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) High-Level Roundtable in New York, United States, where senior government officials and stakeholders from across Africa discussed ways to deepen cooperation in the mining sector.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Special Assistant Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Lara Owoeye-Wise, in Abuja.
According to the statement, the meeting focused on the need for African countries to move beyond the export of raw minerals by promoting local processing and developing stronger mineral value chains across the continent.
It stated that Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, and the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, were among the key participants at the meeting.
The statement also listed the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal; Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Ali Hassan Joho; Secretary-General of AMSG, Moses Michael Engadu; and Eswatini’s Minister of Natural Resources and Energy, Prince Lonkhokhela Dlamini, among those present.
It added that the roundtable formed part of AMSG’s efforts to promote stronger partnerships among African countries and develop common strategies for the responsible management of the continent’s mineral resources.
The statement further explained that the group is working to encourage investment, improve local value addition and ensure that mineral development contributes more directly to economic growth and development across Africa.