The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has issued a sharp wake-up call to African nations, declaring that the continent must aggressively transition from being a mere exporter of raw materials to becoming a global hub for industrialisation and wealth creation.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja, Alake, who was represented by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Solid Minerals Company (NSMC), Mr. Martins Imonitie, stressed that Africa can no longer afford to miss out on the economic benefits of its vast natural resource endowment, especially as the global demand for critical minerals skyrockets.

The briefing was held ahead of the 5th African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS) 2026, scheduled to take place from June 23 to 25 at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

According to Alake, this year’s summit with: “One Africa, One Resource Vision” as theme, comes at a pivotal moment when the global energy transition is forcing countries to aggressively secure their supply chains.

“AFNIS 2026 is built around a simple but powerful proposition that Africa must move from being merely a source of raw materials to becoming a centre of value creation, industrialisation, and shared prosperity,” Alake told reporters.

“Our resources must become catalysts for economic transformation, job creation, technological advancement, infrastructure development, and long-term wealth creation for African people.”

The Minister noted that the summit, which was conceived five years ago, has evolved from a simple dialogue room into a highly respected continental platform that shapes real-world policy across mining, energy, and sustainable investment.

Alake argued that isolated national approaches to mining and energy are no longer viable in the face of modern economic realities. Instead, he advocated for deep, cross-border partnerships.

“Whether we are discussing critical minerals, energy infrastructure, regional value chains, industrial corridors, responsible sourcing, project financing, or technology transfer, the future lies in greater collaboration among African nations,” he explained.

To ensure the event yields actual economic results rather than just rhetoric, Alake disclosed that AFNIS 2026 has been deliberately structured around action and implementation. The three-day event will feature dedicated sovereign meeting rooms, investor engagement sessions, and project de-risking engagements.

“The objective is that participants should leave Abuja with new partnerships, new investment opportunities, and practical pathways for execution,” the minister added.

A strong continental consensus is already forming around the event, with senior government officials and sector ministers expected from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Liberia, and Mauritania.

In his closing remarks, Alake reminded African stakeholders that natural endowment means nothing without structural execution.

“History will not judge Africa by the resources beneath its soil. History will judge us by what we choose to do with those resources. The challenge before us is therefore not one of endowment, but of vision, leadership, and execution,” Alake said.

Describing the upcoming summit as a definitive “statement of intent,” Alake affirmed that Nigeria stands ready to welcome global markets to Abuja to forge a shared, high-value development future for the continent.

The summit is also drawing significant private-sector interest. Major development finance institutions, sovereign wealth funds, and commercial banks will join technical experts, geoscientists, and global policymakers to deliberate on regional industrial corridors and innovative financing models.

Alake then extended appreciation to corporate partners driving the summit, specifically naming Romulus Mining (the title sponsor), ASBA & Wisdom International Limited, Steron Mining Company Limited, and Xcalibur Smart Mapping.