Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has been re-elected as Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), reinforcing calls for stronger continental collaboration to boost economic growth through the development of Africa’s mineral resources.
Alake secured the position unopposed during the 2026 Annual General Meeting of the AMSG, held alongside the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He was first appointed as the inaugural chairman of the continental body in 2024.
The Africa Minerals Strategy Group brings together African ministers responsible for mining and minerals. Its primary aim is to coordinate policies, encourage value addition, and enhance the continent’s bargaining power in the global minerals market.
During the AGM, member states reviewed progress since the group’s inception and adopted measures to strengthen its institutional framework. This included the creation of new leadership roles such as Vice-Chairman, Deputy Secretary-General, and Financial Secretary, distributed equitably across Africa’s sub-regions to ensure balanced representation.
Under the new structure, Alake continues as Chairman representing West Africa. Other appointments include Hon. Louis Watum Kabamba, Minister of Mines from the Democratic Republic of Congo, as Vice-Chairman for Central Africa; Uganda retains the Secretary-General role for East Africa; Mauritania takes Deputy Secretary-General for North Africa; and South Africa assumes Financial Secretary for Southern Africa.
The AGM also confirmed a two-year tenure for executive committee members and agreed that leadership positions would be tied to member countries rather than individuals, allowing new ministers from the same country to assume roles automatically. Participants noted this arrangement would ensure continuity and stability within the group.
In his acceptance remarks, Alake thanked colleagues for their confidence and highlighted the urgent need for African nations to collaborate in unlocking economic growth through solid minerals. He encouraged member states to establish minimum financial contributions to strengthen AMSG operations, emphasizing that funding would enhance accountability and transparency.
“Once member states contribute, accountability will naturally follow. This strengthens transparency and boosts the credibility of the AMSG before the global community,” Alake said.
The ministers also resolved to hold quarterly meetings and create standing committees to focus on critical areas, including legal affairs, sustainability, responsible mining, and finance. They further agreed to initiate steps toward hosting a global minerals conference in Africa, comparable to the scale and influence of the Future Minerals Forum.
Speaking at a leadership roundtable themed ‘Africa: Unlocking Infrastructure Funding for Copper-Belt Production’, Alake stressed that mineral production alone would not transform African economies without proper infrastructure, coordinated policies, and deliberate value-addition strategies.
He highlighted the importance of regional infrastructure projects, citing the Lobito Corridor as a model for supporting mineral development. Other key corridors identified as opportunities for integration and industrial growth include the Lagos–Abidjan Corridor, Walvis Bay Corridor, and the Dar es Salaam and Central Corridors.
“The real challenge is not the existence of corridors, but ensuring they are properly financed, governed, and structured to support long-term development,” Alake noted.
He emphasised that Africa must design its mineral infrastructure to attract investment, promote transparency, maintain policy stability, and ensure shared prosperity. According to him, only a coordinated continental approach will allow Africa to fully leverage its mineral wealth and secure a stronger position in the global minerals economy.
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