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Africa’s Critical Minerals Agenda Goes Global as AMSG Convenes New York Summit

Published

1 month ago

August 23, 2026

Joel Ajayi

Africa is set to intensify its push for greater control and value from its critical mineral resources as the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) convenes its Third High-Level Roundtable on Critical Minerals Development in Africa in Manhattan, New York, on September 21, 2026.

The high-level meeting, scheduled to take place on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, will provide a platform for African leaders and global stakeholders to advance strategies for transforming the continent’s vast mineral resources into sustainable economic wealth.

With the theme, “From Resources to Wealth: Continental Cooperation for Mineral Value Addition,” the summit will bring together African Heads of State and Government representatives, ministers, investors, development finance institutions, multilateral organisations and leading executives from the mining, technology, processing, logistics and mineral traceability sectors.
The Roundtable will be chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chairperson of the AMSG General Assembly, highlighting the growing importance of critical minerals to Africa’s industrial, economic and geopolitical ambitions.
The summit comes at a time when critical minerals such as lithium, copper, cobalt, graphite, manganese and rare earth elements are becoming increasingly important to electric vehicles, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, defence systems and other emerging technologies.

Africa holds significant reserves of many of these strategic minerals. However, the continent has historically exported much of its mineral resources in raw or minimally processed form, limiting the economic benefits generated locally.

AMSG is seeking to change that narrative by promoting greater local processing, value addition and continental cooperation.

The New York Roundtable will focus on practical measures to move African countries away from the traditional extract-and-export model towards integrated mineral value chains capable of generating jobs, attracting investment, strengthening industries and increasing Africa’s share of the global minerals economy.
The meeting will also advance the implementation of the Mutual Assured Development (MADE) Framework, launched at the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS) 2026 in Abuja.

A major highlight of the New York gathering will be the unveiling of the Continental Integration and Economic Assurance Declaration (CIEAD), which AMSG says will provide a framework for deeper continental cooperation on critical minerals.

The declaration is expected to address policy coordination, investment mobilisation, mineral value addition, supply-chain security and measures to strengthen Africa’s negotiating position in the rapidly evolving global minerals market.

Another key initiative is the proposed CIEAD Finance Window, which is designed to support innovative financing structures for mineral processing, infrastructure, technology and other critical components of Africa’s emerging mineral value chains.

The Roundtable will be convened by the AMSG leadership, with the participation of Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development and Chairperson of the AMSG Ministerial Steering Committee, Mr. Dele Alake, as well as the Secretary-General of AMSG, Mr. Moses Micheal Engadu.

Beyond mining, the discussions will examine how Africa can leverage its mineral wealth to drive manufacturing, technology transfer, infrastructure development, regional trade and employment.

The increasing global demand for minerals required for clean energy, electric mobility, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and defence has placed Africa at the centre of a new economic and geopolitical contest.

AMSG believes the continent can use this opportunity to transition from being primarily a supplier of raw materials to becoming a major producer of processed minerals, manufactured products and technologies linked to the global energy and industrial transition.

The New York summit will consequently explore pathways for developing competitive mineral value chains, strengthening intra-African cooperation and attracting long-term investments into processing, refining, manufacturing and supporting infrastructure.
Participants will include representatives of AMSG member states, multilateral organisations and development finance institutions, including the Africa Finance Corporation, alongside executives from major global mining, technology, traceability and logistics companies.

The convergence of policymakers, financiers and private-sector players is expected to provide opportunities for stronger partnerships and investment arrangements aimed at developing secure and sustainable critical-mineral supply chains across Africa.

AMSG said the Roundtable will go beyond declarations by focusing on bankable projects, policy alignment, investment structures and practical mechanisms capable of converting the continent’s mineral endowment into measurable economic value.

For the organisation, the September meeting represents a critical opportunity for Africa to strengthen its collective voice and influence at a time when critical minerals are becoming central to global economic growth and national security.

The AMSG maintains that Africa must move from being a passive participant in global mineral supply chains to becoming an active architect of the emerging global mineral economy.

The Third AMSG High-Level Roundtable is strategically partnered and supported by Core International.

Established in January 2024 by African governments as a continental intergovernmental organisation and specialised agency for critical minerals development, AMSG provides a platform for coordinating critical-minerals policy, investment alignment, minerals security and Africa’s engagement with global partners.

Its broader mission is to strengthen Africa’s control over its mineral wealth, promote local value addition, advance continental cooperation and position the continent as a leading force in the global minerals economy.

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Nigeria at 66: ‘We Must Not Lose Faith in Nigeria’ — FCC Boss Omidiran

Published

11 hours ago

October 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Honorable Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, has called on Nigerians to use the occasion of the nation’s 66th Independence Anniversary to renew their faith in Nigeria, strengthen national unity and recommit themselves to building a more inclusive and prosperous country.

In her 66th Independence Day message, Hon. Omidiran described October 1 as more than a celebration of freedom, saying the anniversary provides an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the country’s journey, acknowledge its progress and challenges, and renew the collective determination to build a nation where every citizen has a sense of belonging.

According to the FCC Executive Chairman, the Federal Character Principle remains particularly important to the quest for national cohesion because equitable representation promotes a sense of ownership and confidence in the Nigerian project.

“Nigeria is a nation of great diversity and
enormous potential. Our responsibility is to ensure that this diversity becomes a bridge that connects us rather than a barrier that separates us. Every Nigerian deserves to feel that he or she belongs to this country and has a role to play in its development,” Omidiran said.

The FCC boss called on government institutions at all levels to remain committed to fairness, equity, accountability and inclusive governance, while urging citizens to support efforts aimed at strengthening national institutions and promoting peaceful coexistence.

“We must not lose faith in Nigeria. The challenges before us are real, but so are the opportunities and the enormous human and natural resources available to us. Every citizen has a responsibility to contribute his or her own quota to building the Nigeria we desire,” she stated.

The FCC Executive Chairman also urged young Nigerians to remain committed to acquiring knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship, innovation, sports and other productive ventures, describing the youth as critical stakeholders in the country’s future.

“As we celebrate 66 years of independence, let us remember that the Nigeria we want cannot be built by government alone. It requires the commitment of all of us – leaders and citizens, young and old, from every part of the federation. Together, we can build a Nigeria where justice, fairness, opportunity and peace are available to all,” she said.

Omidiran reaffirmed the FCC’s commitment to the effective discharge of its constitutional mandate and to supporting efforts that promote equitable representation and inclusive national development across the federation.

The former lawmaker wished Nigerians at home and abroad a peaceful and memorable 66th Independence Anniversary, praying for continued peace, stability, prosperity and progress for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Our differences should never be greater than our common identity as Nigerians. Let us continue to choose unity over division, service over self-interest and hope over despair. The Nigeria of our dreams is possible if we all play our part,” Omidiran said.

“On behalf of the Federal Character Commission, I congratulate all Nigerians on this 66th Independence Anniversary. May this occasion renew our patriotism, strengthen our unity and inspire us to work together for a stronger, more equitable and prosperous Nigeria. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” she added.

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