Minister of Solid Minerals Development for Nigeria, Dele Alake, don again emerge Chairman of di Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) after members re-elect am during di group Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Di AGM also approve major institutional reforms, including creation of new leadership positions such as Vice-Chairman, Deputy Secretary-General and Financial Secretary, to promote inclusion and regional balance across Africa sub-regions.
Under di new arrangement, positions of Chairman and Vice-Chairman go remain elective and only serving ministers fit occupy dem, while other offices go dey appointed by member states based on regional zoning.
With di new structure, Alake continue as Chairman representing West Africa. Minister of Mines of Democratic Republic of Congo, Louis Watum Kabamba, don emerge Vice-Chairman for Central Africa. Uganda retain di position of Secretary-General for East Africa, Mauritania take Deputy Secretary-General slot for North Africa, while South Africa hold di position of Financial Secretary.
Di AGM also ratify two-year tenure for di executive committee and agree say all zoned positions belong to member countries. Meaning say once minister change for any country, di new minister go automatically assume di zoned position.
For im acceptance speech, Alake thank members for di renewed confidence and call on African countries to strengthen cooperation to unlock di continent economic potential through solid minerals development.
E urge member states to agree on minimum financial contributions and improve di group budgeting system to boost efficiency and credibility.
“Once member states contribute, accountability go follow naturally. This go improve transparency and strengthen di credibility of AMSG before di global community,” Alake talk.
Di AGM also resolve to hold quarterly ministerial meetings and set up standing committees on Legal, Institutional Affairs and Human Resources; Sustainability and Responsible Mining; and Finance, Budget and Resource Mobilisation. Members further agree to work towards hosting one global minerals conference for Africa, similar to di Future Minerals Forum.
Earlier, speaking at one leadership roundtable with theme ‘Africa: Unlocking Infrastructure Funding for Copper-Belt Production’, Alake stress say mineral production alone no fit bring lasting economic transformation without strong infrastructure, coordinated policies and deliberate value-addition strategies.
“The real issue no be whether Africa get corridors, but whether dem dey properly financed, governed and structured to support industrial growth, regional integration and long-term stability,” e say.
Alake cite di Lobito Corridor for Angola as example and also point to other opportunities like Lagos–Abidjan Corridor, Walvis Bay Corridor, and Dar es Salaam and Central Corridors. E emphasise di need for coordinated rail, port, power and industrial planning to unlock large-scale investment.
E also note say offtake arrangements, harmonised regulations and clear industrial clusters dey very important to attract investors along Africa mineral corridors.
Di Africa Minerals Strategy Group, wey form for 2024, bring together ministers across di continent to coordinate policies, share knowledge and take joint action to strengthen Africa mining sector, as di continent push move from raw mineral exports to higher-value processed products.
