Tinubu to Lead Africa Critical Minerals Summit as Continent Seeks More Value From Its Resources

ABUJA — Nigeria is preparing to take a leading role in Africa’s campaign for greater control over the continent’s mineral resources.

President Bola Tinubu is expected to chair a high-level Africa minerals summit in New York, where African leaders and stakeholders will discuss how the continent can gain more economic value from its vast mineral deposits.

For decades, many African countries have exported raw minerals while importing finished products made from those same resources.

The new push is focused on changing that pattern through local processing, industrial development and stronger African participation in global mineral supply chains.

Critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, copper and other strategic resources are becoming increasingly important because of their use in technology, electric vehicles and clean-energy systems.

The Nigerian government believes Africa should move beyond simply exporting raw materials and develop industries around the resources found on the continent.

The initiative could become an important part of Africa’s wider drive for industrialisation and economic independence.