New York, United States –
At the Second Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) High‑Level Roundtable on Critical Minerals Development, held on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, President Bola Tinubu (represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima) made a call for Africa to assert sovereignty over its mineral wealth, finance its own mineral sector, and build its industrial capacity. Punch Newspapers+2Channels Television+2
Here are the verified main points from his remarks:
- Africa should move together to protect its natural resources and gain strength in global supply chains, rather than remain fragmented. Channels Television+1
- Value‐addition within Africa is essential: Tinubu emphasised ending the cycle of exporting raw minerals and importing finished goods. Local beneficiation and green manufacturing on African soil must be priorities. Channels Television+2Punch Newspapers+2
- Geological data must be mapped, standardized, and owned by Africans through instruments like AMREC (African Minerals and Energy Resource Classification) and PARC (Pan‑African Resource Reporting Code). Channels Television+2The Guardian Nigeria+2
- Government‑led mineral exploration and national geological surveying are critical. Strengthening geological agencies and pooling expertise among member states via AMSG is required to assert value. Channels Television+1
- Financing mechanisms: Tinubu called for using sovereign funds, blended finance vehicles, and innovations like the “Africa Mineral Token” to mobilize capital from within Africa rather than relying on external trickle‑downs. Channels Television+1
Source: Punch Nigeria, ChannelsTV, The Guardian Nigeria
