NIGERIA, AFDB PUSH FOR GREATER AFRICAN OWNERSHIP OF CRITICAL MINERALS

The Federal Government and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have renewed calls for African countries to take greater control of their critical mineral resources, stressing the need to maximize value from the continent's vast natural wealth.

Speaking at a recent engagement, officials said Africa must move beyond exporting raw minerals and focus on local processing, manufacturing, and value addition to create jobs, attract investment, and strengthen industrial growth.

The partners noted that critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, graphite, and rare earth elements are increasingly important to global clean energy and technology industries. They argued that greater local ownership and processing would enable African economies to capture more economic benefits while reducing dependence on foreign markets.

The Federal Government and AfDB also emphasized the importance of regional collaboration, supportive policies, and infrastructure development to unlock the full potential of the mining sector.

They reaffirmed their commitment to supporting initiatives that promote sustainable mineral development, responsible resource management, and stronger African participation in global supply chains for critical minerals.