Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has called on African countries to strengthen cooperation and end the export of unprocessed minerals, urging the continent to retain more value from its natural resources.
Tinubu made the call on Monday at the Third Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) High-Level Roundtable in New York, held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu said African nations must move beyond supplying raw materials to global markets and invest in local processing, manufacturing and value addition.
He called for a stronger continental alliance to address the historical exploitation of Africa’s mineral wealth and ensure that its resources contribute to sustainable economic development.
The meeting, attended by Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development and AMSG Chairman, Dele Alake, focused on mineral value addition, data sovereignty, innovative financing and the security of Africa’s critical mineral resources.