…AS INT’L PARTNERS SAY OVER US$600m Deals SEALED IN PAST 4 SUMMITS
In the countdown to the 5th African Natural Resources and Investment Summit (AFNIS) 2026, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, has charged African nations to collaborate and ensure that Africa’s rich mineral resources are harnessed for economic transformation through wealth creation in the continent.
The minister was speaking at a press briefing in Abuja ahead of the 5th African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS 2026), scheduled for 23–25 June at the State House Conference Centre, with the theme: “One Africa, One Resource Vision”.
He explaind, “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. Our resources must become catalysts for economic transformation, job creation, technological advancement, infrastructure development and long-term wealth creation for African people.
“It is for this reason that the theme: “One Africa, One Resource Vision” was adopted to reflect the growing recognition that the challenges and opportunities confronting Africa’s resource sector can no longer be addressed through isolated national approaches.”
Emphasising the importance of this year’s event, he said, “This year’s Summit is particularly significant because it marks a major milestone in the evolution of what has become one of Africa’s foremost platforms for dialogue, partnership and investment in the natural resources and energy sectors.
“Five years ago, AFNIS began as an ambitious idea to create a platform where African governments, investors, development institutions and industry leaders could come together to discuss the future of the continent’s vast natural resource endowment.
“Today, that vision has grown into a respected continental platform that continues to shape conversations around mining, energy, industrialisation, investment and sustainable development across Africa.
“The significance of AFNIS 2026 extends far beyond the celebration of its fifth edition. It comes at a crucial moment in Africa’s history where the demand for critical minerals is accelerating. Nations are repositioning themselves to secure supply chains. Global capital is seeking stable and bankable destinations.
“New technologies are transforming industries at unprecedented speed, while the global energy transition is creating enormous opportunities for resource-rich countries.”
Speaking further, he said, “What makes AFNIS 2026 different from previous editions is its deliberate focus on implementation. This year, the programme has been designed to facilitate direct engagement between governments, investors, financiers, project developers, and technical experts.
“Dedicated sovereign meeting rooms, investor engagement sessions, ministerial dialogues, CEO roundtables, project financing discussions, responsible sourcing roundtables and project de-risking engagements have all been incorporated into the Summit architecture.
“The objective is such that participants should leave Abuja with new partnerships, new investment opportunities and practical pathways for execution.”
Give further insight, the minister said, “Senior government representatives and ministers responsible for mining, petroleum, energy and industrial development from several African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Liberia and Mauritania, among others whose countries are among Africa’s most important mining and energy jurisdictions are expected expected to participate at this year’s event, demonstrating the growing relevance of the annual summit and a growing consensus that Africa’s resource future must be shaped through dialogue, coordination and collective action.
“Beyond government participation, AFNIS 2026 will bring together development finance institutions, sovereign wealth funds, commercial banks, investment funds, mining companies, energy companies, technology providers, geoscience experts, project developers and policy makers from across Africa and beyond.
“It is this unique convergence of decision-makers, investors and industry leaders that distinguishes AFNIS from many other conferences on the continent,” he continued.
“We expect this year’s Summit to generate meaningful discussions around sovereign participation in strategic projects, regional industrial corridors, critical mineral development, infrastructure financing, responsible sourcing, energy integration, project de-risking and innovative financing mechanisms that can unlock Africa’s enormous resource potential.
“The outcomes of these discussions have the potential to shape policy and investment decisions across the continent for years to come.”
Expressing gratitude to the various development partners who contributed to making the summit a reality, the minister concluded saying, “As we approach AFNIS 2026, I encourage you to engage actively with the ideas, opportunities and partnerships that will emerge from the Summit.
“The conversations that will take place in Abuja are ultimately about Africa’s future, they are about how we create jobs for our young people, build industries that add value to our resources and position Africa as a competitive player in the global economy.
“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.
“AFNIS 2026 is a statement of intent, a declaration that Africa is ready to take greater ownership of its development trajectory, deepen regional cooperation, attract strategic investment and transform its natural resource wealth into lasting prosperity for its people.”
Meanwhile international partners, while speaking at the event, disclosed that over $600 million in deals have been secured from the past four editions of the summit, adding that tighter and more aligned trade agreements have been established, policy unification has been achieved, and new standards on natural resource development have been introduced.
Such development partners who signed this speech includes Romulus Mining and platinum and gold partners; Asba and Wisdom; Steron Mining; Xcalibur; Nigerian Indigenous Women in Mining and Natural Resources Organisation; Segilola Resources Operating Ltd; African Natural Resources and Mines Ltd; dGold (DOAP dGOLD Tokenisation Ltd.); and Oil Dynamix Ltd.
They also revealed that over the four summits, there had been over 5,000 delegates and over 30 states represented through ministerial participation across Africa and the European Union.
And that DFI (Direct Foreign Investment) support has been provided by senior figures at AfDB, AFC, IFC, the European Union, GIZ, USAID, the United Nations, UNDP, the Africa Mineral Strategy Group, and other intergovernmental organisations, and multinational companies.
The AFNIS 2026 will feature Ministerial Strategic Addresses; Ministerial & CEO Roundtables; and the key takeaway from the event which will be the introduction of the MADE (Mutual Assured Development) Framework; a new initiative that will be championed by AMSG (Africa Minerals Strategic Group) that will promote Resource sovereignty, local value retention, industrialisation, regional integration and strategic mineral cooperation.