Stakeholders at the 5th African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS 2026) have called for the implementation of agreements reached during the event, urging governments, investors and industry players to convert discussions into tangible projects capable of driving Africa’s economic transformation.
The two-day summit, which concluded in Abuja on Thursday, witnessed the signing of strategic partnerships and investment agreements aimed at advancing mining, critical minerals development and sustainable resource management across the continent.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, praised delegates from across Africa for their commitment to harnessing the continent’s natural resources for industrialisation and economic growth.
“Everywhere I go in Africa for these mining events, the enthusiasm has been real, the zeal has been ideal, and the results have been showing,” Alake said.
The minister noted that the agreements signed during the summit demonstrated that AFNIS had evolved beyond a forum for dialogue into a platform delivering practical outcomes.
“The signing ceremonies that we had here are eloquent testimonies to stated objectives and achievement of goals. These AFNIS events have not just been talking shops; they have actually been platforms and avenues of results,” he stated.
Alake, however, stressed that the success of the summit would ultimately depend on the execution of commitments made by stakeholders.
“We don’t want everything to end here—not just in speeches, addresses, remarks and photographs. We need actualities,” he said.
One of the major outcomes of the summit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Africans for Africa (AFA) Initiative and Steron International Resources Limited to support the development of lithium and rare earth minerals in Nigeria.
Under the agreement, Steron’s Lithium and Rare Earth Elements (REE) project in Wasa has been identified as a potential “Official AFA Mining Fund I Pipeline Project.” The designation is expected to provide access to technical support and investment facilitation aimed at enhancing the project’s bankability and compliance with international sustainable mining standards.
The partnership also incorporates AFA’s 51 per cent Total African Benefit (TAB) Model, a framework designed to ensure that the majority of value generated from Africa’s mineral resources remains on the continent through local processing, domestic supply chains and community-focused investments.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, AFA Co-founder, Suleiman Zakari, described the initiative as a major step towards unlocking the continent’s mineral wealth for industrial growth.
“The institutionalisation of the AFA Mining Fund is a significant step toward supporting critical mineral projects capable of driving industrialisation and sustainable development across Africa,” Zakari said.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Steron International Resources Limited, Abubakar Sadiq, said the partnership demonstrates that Nigerian mining projects can attract international investment while meeting environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards.
He added that the project would also create economic opportunities and deliver benefits to host communities.
Also addressing participants, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State highlighted his administration’s commitment to responsible mining and sustainable resource development.
According to the governor, the state has established a legally backed Infrastructure Fund financed through five per cent of its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to support investments in strategic sectors, including mining and agriculture.
“Responsible mining ensures fair returns for investors, protects government revenues and safeguards the interests of host communities,” Sule said.
He explained that the fund is being used to provide critical infrastructure such as roads, electricity and security, creating an enabling environment for businesses and investors.
Governor Sule described AFNIS as a valuable platform for fostering partnerships and advancing sustainable development across Africa.
He encouraged investors, development finance institutions and technology providers to take advantage of opportunities in Nasarawa State and Nigeria, citing the state’s vast mineral deposits and favourable investment climate.
The summit, themed “One Africa, One Resource Vision,” brought together policymakers, mining executives, investors, development partners and industry experts from 15 African countries to explore strategies for value addition, critical minerals development, sustainable mining and industrial transformation.
Participants expressed confidence that the partnerships and commitments announced during AFNIS 2026 would help accelerate Africa’s transition from a supplier of raw materials to a competitive player in the global resource value chain.
