African countries have been urged to shift from exporting raw minerals to developing strong local industries that process, refine, and add value to their natural resources — a move seen as vital for empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and creating sustainable jobs across the continent.
Speaking at the African Mining Week in Cape Town, South Africa, themed "Vision & Strategy: Setting the Stage for Minerals Industrialisation," the Chairman of the African Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) said Africa's mineral wealth has powered industrial growth in other regions for decades, while the continent itself remains under-industrialised.
He emphasised that Africa's vast deposits of critical minerals — including lithium, gold, cobalt, and copper — can drive green industrialisation, clean energy production, and digital manufacturing if value addition takes place locally.
"Our youth should no longer seek jobs abroad while opportunities lie buried beneath their feet. The time to industrialise is now," he noted, calling for collaboration between governments, investors, and SMEs to develop inclusive mineral value chains.
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Highlighting Nigeria's example, the AMSG Chair said ongoing reforms in the mining sector aim to create new business opportunities for local operators and SMEs through gold refining, lithium processing, and transparent licensing. He added that digitisation, traceability, and new mining legislation will further attract credible investors and ensure accountability.
He also called for better mapping of mineral resources across African countries and stronger regulatory frameworks to ensure only licensed and responsible operators are active in the sector.
During the country spotlight session, Nigeria showcased its investment incentives, reforms, and the vast potential in its solid minerals sector — positioning SMEs as key partners in mineral beneficiation, logistics, and equipment supply chains.
The African Mining Week drew participation from ministers and representatives of several African nations, as well as major private-sector players committed to transforming the continent's mineral wealth into engines of industrial growth and inclusive economic development.
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