By: Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has declared that Africa is ready to take ownership of its abundant natural resources and transform them into drivers of industrialization, investment, and shared prosperity across the continent.

Alake made the statement on Wednesday in Abuja during a pre-event press briefing ahead of the 5th African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS 2026), scheduled to take place from June 23 to 25, 2026, at the State House, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Speaking on the summit’s theme, “One Africa, One Resource Vision,” the minister described this year’s edition as a landmark event in Africa’s journey toward resource sovereignty and sustainable economic development.

“This year’s summit is particularly significant because it marks a major milestone in Africa’s evolution toward strategic investment in natural resources,” Alake said.

He noted that AFNIS was conceived five years ago as a platform to bring together African governments, investors, development institutions, and industry leaders to shape the future of the continent’s resource sector.

“Today, AFNIS has grown into a premier continental platform that continues to influence conversations around energy, industrialization, investment, and economic transformation,” he added.

According to the minister, the summit comes at a critical period when African nations are repositioning themselves within global supply chains amid increasing demand for critical minerals and energy resources.

He emphasized that Africa must move beyond its traditional role as a supplier of raw materials and become a hub for value creation, industrial development, and inclusive prosperity.

“Whether we are discussing critical minerals, energy infrastructure, regional value chains, industrial development, project finance, or technology, the future lies in collaboration and continental integration,” he said.

Alake stressed that AFNIS 2026 would place greater emphasis on implementation and investment facilitation rather than discussions alone.

The Minister further stressed that the summit will feature ministerial dialogues, CEO roundtables, investment engagement sessions, project financing discussions, and business-to-government meetings designed to create tangible investment opportunities and actionable outcomes.

Alake disclosed that senior government officials and ministers from several African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, and Mauritania, are expected to attend the summit alongside investors, development finance institutions, mining and energy companies, technology providers, and project developers.

Representing the minister at the briefing, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company, Imonite Martin, said Nigeria was honoured to host the gathering once again.

He expressed confidence that the summit would generate meaningful discussions capable of unlocking Africa’s vast mineral wealth and accelerating sustainable development across the continent.

“This summit is about more than resources. It is about creating jobs for our young people, building industries, and determining Africa’s future through responsible resource management,” Martin said.

He also acknowledged the support of sponsors and partners, particularly Core International Limited, whose contributions continue to strengthen confidence in Africa’s economic potential.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, represented by the Director of Investment Promotion and Mineral Trade, Dr. Udoh, described AFNIS as Africa’s leading platform for natural resource development.

He said the summit had evolved beyond a traditional conference into a strategic forum where governments, investors, financiers, and technical experts collaborate to unlock Africa’s enormous resource potential.

“The world is looking to Africa for critical minerals. Our responsibility is to ensure that these resources translate into sustainable wealth, local value addition, technology transfer, and inclusive growth for African people,” he said.

Dr. Udoh added that the ministry remains committed to building a globally competitive, responsible, and sustainable mining sector capable of contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.

Meanwhile, Archibald Troko, Director of Strategy and Platform Development at Core International, highlighted AFNIS’s growing impact on resource development and investment across Africa.

According to him, the summit has facilitated more than $600 million in investment deals over the past four editions, while helping to strengthen trade agreements, policy harmonization, and new standards for natural resource development.

Troko also highlighted the Africans for Africa Fund, launched during AFNIS 2024 in partnership with the African Mineral Strategy Group (AMSG), which aims to mobilize $1 billion in domestic capital for African development projects.

He revealed that AFNIS has attracted more than 5,000 delegates and ministerial representation from over 30 countries across Africa and the European Union since its inception.

For the 2026 edition, approximately 20 percent of Africa’s mining and natural resources ministers and delegations have already confirmed participation.

Troko described AFNIS 2026 as a pivotal moment for Africa’s development agenda, noting that the summit would advance discussions from local content and value addition to broader issues of continental resource sovereignty.

A major outcome expected from this year’s summit is the unveiling of the MADE Framework, an initiative championed by the African Mineral Strategy Group aimed at promoting resource sovereignty, local value retention, industrialization, regional integration, and strategic mineral cooperation across Africa.

He urged governments, investors, and business leaders attending the summit to come prepared with bankable projects and investment commitments.
“AFNIS is designed to be a platform for action, not just discussion.

The future of Africa’s development depends on informed, courageous, and decisive action,” Troko said.

The organizers also extended appreciation to headline sponsor Romulus Mining, as well as platinum and gold partners including ASBA and Wisdom, Steron Mining, Nigerian Indigenous Women in Mining and Natural Resources Organisation, Segilola Resources Operating Limited, African Natural Resources and Mines Limited, DOAP dGOLD Tokenisation Limited, and Oil Dynamix Limited for their support of the summit.

AFNIS 2026 is expected to bring together policymakers, investors, financiers, and industry leaders from across Africa and beyond to explore new opportunities for sustainable resource development and economic transformation on the continent.