The Federal Government yesterday said the 2025 edition of the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS) which theme is ‘Harnessing Local Content for Sustainable Development,’ is scheduled for July 15 to 17, at the State House, Abuja.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake who made the disclosure at the pre-event press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, said that the event is designed to highlight how Africa, which holds 30 per cent of the world’s solid mineral resources, can harness them for sustainable development. He said the meeting further aims to promote local industrialisation in Africa by leveraging local content through the forthcoming fourth edition of the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS).
The Minister, who spoke through the Director-General of the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), Engr. Obadiah Simon Nkom, pointed out that the theme indicates Africa’s resolve to move beyond rhetoric and begin the transformation of the continent’s mineral wealth through local production and value addition.
Alake, who is also the Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), stressed the importance of driving the conversation as Africa holds the critical minerals needed for global energy transition.
He stated: “Our theme this year encourages a serious rethink about how Africa can shift away from exporting raw materials and instead build factories, refine minerals, generate power locally, and create jobs at home.
“This summit is about building value, where the resources come from,” he said.
According to him, discussions at the summit would focus on how Africa can convert its vast raw materials into value-added products like batteries, solar equipment, fertilisers, and industrial metals.
“On energy transition, we will discuss how to take advantage of our renewable resources and gas to create energy solutions that actually work for African communities, solutions that are clean, reliable, and affordable.
“On cross-sector integration, we will explore how mining and agriculture, petrochemicals and energy, can be coordinated in a way that makes sense for long-term growth.
“Also, on policy and financing, we will talk about crafting laws, incentives, and investment models that attract real capital, not speculative interest,” Dr. Alake stated.
The summit, he assured, would build on the achievements of the 2024 summit, especially the ‘Africans for Africa Initiative’ which was unveiled to drive local development within the region.
With the development of the strategy, the Minister said the Africans for Africa Fund would be unveiled at the 2025 summit.
Through this, he said, it is expected to provide microcredit facilities to mining operators.
“One of the major highlights of this year will be the formal launch of the ‘Africans for Africa Fund’; a bold initiative designed to mobilise African capital for African priorities.
“This isn’t a slogan. It is a shift in mindset and we are saying clearly that the time has come for Africans to invest in Africa, to back our industries, our innovations, and our infrastructure with the resources we already have,” the Minister stated.
He also said that the summit would offer the atmosphere for Nigeria, as the host, to showcase Nigeria’s progress under the President Bola Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Minister said it will particularly highlight updates on reforms in the solid minerals sector generally.
He said the summit will also showcase Nigeria’s local processing initiatives, renewed commitment to community development agreements, and the rollout of its mineral data platform.
While saying that Nigeria is taking new measures to attract responsible investment that will benefit all stakeholders, the minister said the summit will be a major game changer for the sector.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Engr. Faruk Yusuf Yabo, said the summit will bring together visionaries, policymakers, investors and industry leaders from across the globe to shape the future of Africa’s natural resources and energy landscape.
Yabo, who was represented by Dr. Vivian Okono, Director, Mines Environmental Compliance in the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, stated: “Africa stands at the threshold of a transformative era. With its vast reserves of natural resources, abundant renewable energy potential, and a growing appetite for sustainable development, the continent is uniquely positioned to lead the global transition towards cleaner, more inclusive and more resilient energy systems.”
He noted that the summit will serve as a bold step towards unlocking Africa’s true potential in driving sustainable investment, industrial innovation and regional integration.
“Together we can chart a part that prioritizes not only economic growth, but also environmental stewardship, energy access and long term prosperity for all Africans,” he stated.
Among the expectations of the 2025 summit are Ministerial and Chief Executive Officers Retreat, Strategic Partnership Summit, Technical and Investment Forum among others.
