President Bola Tinubu has advocated for a collaborative African framework to develop the continent’s extensive mineral resources. During the 2026 African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS) in Abuja, he emphasized that African nations must shift away from the basic export of raw minerals toward value-added industrialization.
Represented by Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dr. Dele Alake, President Tinubu stated that the theme, “One Africa, One Resource Vision,” signals a move away from fragmented bargaining. He urged nations to act collectively to ensure the continent gains more from its strategic minerals, which are essential for the global energy transition.
Tinubu argued that Africa must build local processing and manufacturing capacity to create jobs rather than shipping out unprocessed wealth. He proposed deeper regional integration, such as cross-border infrastructure and energy projects, to transform the continent into a hub of opportunity. He also highlighted that effective governance and strong private-public partnerships are vital to turning these resources into sustainable growth.
The summit, which drew participants from over 15 countries, served as a platform to discuss equitable energy transitions. Tinubu maintained that Africa’s transition must balance environmental goals with the urgent need for reliable power to support industrial development and human welfare. Furthermore, Hon. Gaza Gbefwi noted that recent reforms in Nigeria have significantly increased mining revenue, while other industry leaders echoed the call for concrete actions to unlock Africa’s economic potential.