UNGA 80: Tinubu Calls for African Investment in Minerals, Stronger Global Role

President Bola Tinubu has urged African nations to take control of their mineral resources and strengthen their role in global supply chains, warning that sovereignty cannot be safeguarded without financial and industrial independence.

Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Second Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) High-Level Roundtable on Critical Minerals Development in Africa, held on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Tinubu stressed the need for collective financing, innovation, and unity among African states.

“We must take the bull by the horns in financing our future. Never again shall we wait for capital to trickle in. With sovereign funds, blended vehicles, and innovative tools like the Africa Mineral Token, Africa shall finance Africa,” Tinubu said in a statement released by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha.

Four Imperatives for Africa’s Mineral Future

Tinubu outlined four key priorities:

1. Value addition: End the cycle of exporting raw minerals and importing finished goods by investing in beneficiation and green manufacturing.

2. Ownership of data: Standardize and control Africa’s geological data through initiatives such as the African Minerals and Energy Resource Classification (AMREC) and Pan-African Resource Reporting Code (PARC).

3. Exploration and mapping: Prioritize government-led exploration and national geological surveys to unlock value and sovereignty.

4. Self-financing: Leverage sovereign wealth funds and innovative tools to fund Africa’s mineral economy.

Tinubu praised countries like Zimbabwe, Gabon, and Kenya for restricting raw mineral exports to promote domestic processing and pledged Nigeria’s full commitment under his Renewed Hope Agenda.

Support from Partners

Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, who chaired the roundtable, called for transparency and unity among African nations to fully harness the sector’s benefits.

UN Assistant Secretary-General Ahunna Eziakonwa urged African leaders to protect their resources from exploitation and ensure partnerships deliver jobs, technology transfer, and local beneficiation.

The EU Commissioner for International Partnership, Jozef Stkela, highlighted Europe’s Critical Raw Materials Act (2024) and strategic partnerships with African nations to diversify its supply chains.

Tinubu concluded with a call for collective action:

“Let us rise from this dialogue with a communiqué of clarity, a framework for action, and a spirit of unity.”