Ministry of Solid Minerals Development is set to host the 4th edition of the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS), scheduled to take place from July 14 to 17 at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.
Gatekeepers News reports that this year’s summit, according to a statement released on Monday by Segun Tomori, the special assistant on media to Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, is themed ‘Harnessing Local Content for Sustainable Development.’
AFNIS serves as Africa’s leading platform focused on transforming the continent’s abundant natural resources and energy into inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
The summit will gather professionals from the mining, energy, agriculture, and finance sectors, along with policymakers from across the continent, to collaborate and devise innovative solutions aimed at fostering sustainable growth through local initiatives and partnerships.
“The conference aims to promote the development and financing of green energy projects, facilitate trade and knowledge sharing, develop supportive policies for the natural resources sector whilst highlighting investment opportunities across the continent,” he said.
“Leading the pack of speakers is the host, the erudite Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake. The minister renowned across the continent as the advocate of local value addition, will be throwing more light on reforms and efforts of the Tinubu administration to not only make Nigeria a viable investment destination but also make the mining sector lead Nigeria’s industrial renaissance.
“As the Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) – an advocacy group of African Ministers of Mining and Mineral Resources, Alake adorns a double hat, bringing on board his far-reaching continental influence to ensure the summit achieve its objectives and doesn’t end up as a mere talk show.
“Another public servant expected to grace AFNIS 2025 is the Kenyan secretary of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Hon. Hassan Ali Joho, while Liberia’s former Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Jeanine Cooper, a longtime advocate for rural transformation that championed food security, climate resilience and inclusive economic growth during her tenure as minister will give the summit a boost with her vast insight and systems-thinking approach to resource management.”
According to Tomori, ASBA Group’s lithium processing plant will be commissioned during the summit.
“Featuring prominently in AFNIS 2025 is ASBA Group of companies, a dynamic Nigerian conglomerate with deep investments in mining, real estate, and industrial development,” he said.
“ASBA group’s partnership with AFNIS affirms their commitment to driving Africa’s sustainable growth through local content and value-chain integration.”
He said the facility is a testament to the efficacy of “Alake’s local value addition policy as the potential of the new plant to unlock jobs, herald technology transfer, and propel downstream industrialisation is simply limitless”.
Tomori also said Damilola Ogunbiyi, chief executive officer (CEO) of the United Nations secretary-general (UN SRSG) for sustainable energy for all, and Segun Lawson, CEO of Nigeria’s prime gold mining firm is expected to attend.
“The 4-day event… will feature a high-powered delegation from the Indian Business Council,” he said.
He added that the summit provides an opportunity for Nigeria to concretise partnerships that “landed multi-billion-dollar investment deals at the G20 summit in New Delhi 2023”, and open new vistas for collaboration with Nigeria’s business community.
