News Investigators/ The fourth edition of the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS) will explore strategies to promote local industrialisation in Africa by leveraging local content.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, stated this at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja, ahead of AFNIS 2025, scheduled from July 15 to 17 in Abuja.
Mr Alake was represented by the Director-General of the Mining Cadastre Office, Mr Obadiah Nkom.
He said the summit with the theme` Harnessing Local Content for Sustainable Development` aimed to spotlight how Africa, which holds 30 per cent of the world’s solid mineral resources, can harness them to advance sustainable development.
According to him, the theme signals Africa’s resolve to move beyond rhetoric and begin transforming its mineral wealth through local production and value addition.
The minister, who is also the Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, stressed the importance of driving the conversation, especially as the continent holds the critical minerals essential for the global energy transition.
“ Our theme this year encourages a serious rethink about how Africa can shift away from exporting raw materials and instead build factories, refine minerals, generate power locally, and create jobs at home.
“This summit is about building value, where the resources come from, “ he said.
The minister said discussions at the summit would focus on how Africa can convert its vast raw materials into value-added products like batteries, solar equipment, fertilisers, and industrial metals
“ On energy transition, we will discuss on how to take advantage of our renewables and gas to create energy solutions that actually work for African communities’ solutions that are clean, reliable, and affordable.
“On cross-sector integration, we will explore how mining and agriculture, petrochemicals and energy, can be coordinated in a way that makes sense for long-term growth.
“Also on policy and financing, we will talk about crafting laws, incentives, and investment models that attract real capital, not speculative interest, “ he said.
The minister noted that the summit would build on the achievements of the 2024 summit, particularly the `Africa for Africa initiative which was unveiled to drive local development within the region.
He said that following the development of the strategy, the Africans for Africa Fund would be unveiled at the 2025 summit with expectation to provide microcredit facilities to mining operators.
“One of the major highlights of this year will be the formal launch of the `Africans for Africa` Fund; a bold initiative designed to mobilise African capital for African priorities.
“ This isn’t a slogan. It’s a shift in mindset and we are saying clearly that the time has come for Africans to invest in Africa, to back our industries, our innovations, and our infrastructure with the resources we already have, “ he said.
The minister explained that the summit would present an opportunity to Nigeria as the host to showcase the country’s progress under the Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly updates on reforms in the solid minerals sector.
He added that it would also highlight Nigeria’s local processing initiatives, renewed commitment to community development agreements, and the rollout of its mineral data platform.
According to him, Nigeria is taking new steps to attract responsible investment and ensure that mining benefits all stakeholders, which will be presented at the summit.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2025 edition will feature a Ministerial and Chief Executive Officers Retreat, as well as a Strategic Partnership Summit.
It will also include a Technical and Investment Forum, bringing together experts and innovators to discuss key topics such as critical minerals, and agriculture–mining linkages.
NAN
