Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake, has called on African leaders to unite to maximise benefits from the mineral resources on the continent.
He gave the charge at the signing of the resolution to establish the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, which was held on the sidelines of the 30th edition of Investing in Africa in Cape Town, South Africa.
Dr. Alake, who was unanimously elected as the pioneer chairman of the group, stressed that the era of carting away with solid minerals is over, charging countries on the continent to speak with one voice on value addition as a prerequisite for investment in the mining sector.
“Today, there is economic scramble for Africa. The critical metals needed for the energy transition are in Africa. Therefore, if we do not come together this time around and take our destinies in our hands, we will go through the same harrowing experiences of the past. That is why we formed this body.
“Let those who want our minerals know that if you go to country A, you have the same regulations and laws guiding the sector. You go to country B, you find the same. So, there is no divide and rule anymore. That is when we can show sincerity of purpose, and the world will begin to take Africa seriously. On behalf of our president , I pledge our full support to achieve our objectives,” the Minister asserted.
The event was attended by Ministers of mineral development of Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Chad, Botswana, Zambia and Namibia.
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