Editor
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has proclaimed the upcoming African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS) 2024 as a crucial event for leveraging Africa’s mineral resources to attain sustainable economic growth.
In his address to the media regarding the 3rd edition of the summit, slated to be hosted by Nigeria starting from July 16, Dr. Alake underscored the summit’s significance as a pivotal platform that brings together government officials, private sector stakeholders, and industry experts from across the continent. The primary objective is to foster a consensus aimed at propelling economic advancement, realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and promoting the transition to cleaner energy sources.
“This year’s summit, themed ‘ Natural Resources for Economic Development ,’ highlights the substantial role that Africa’s natural resources play in propelling economic prosperity. Our central focus will be on empowering marginalized communities and strategically utilizing fossil fuel revenues to facilitate the transition towards a more sustainable Africa,” Dr. Alake elaborated.
In collaboration with Core International Mining Company, the summit will convene African Ministers of Solid Minerals/Mineral Resources and marks Nigeria’s first hosting since Dr. Alake assumed the inaugural chairmanship of the African Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG).
As per the Minister, “AFNIS 2024 will establish a foundation for policy initiatives and regulatory frameworks that will optimize the sustainable exploitation of mineral resources and mobilize collective efforts towards value addition, a key policy embraced by the AMSG.”
Dr. Alake urged the media to provide extensive coverage of the event, stressing the importance of showcasing Nigeria as a favorable investment hub. He called upon members of the press to contribute towards altering the negative perceptions associated with the country.
“Let’s leverage the AFNIS summit to enhance Nigeria’s reputation and position us as the premier investment destination in Africa. The current administration is diligently working to enhance the business environment and tackle inherent challenges,” the Minister emphasized.
In his statement, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Core International, Suleiman Zakari, disclosed that this year’s summit would incorporate bilateral meetings focusing on value addition to ensure that the continent maximizes the benefits from its abundant mineral resources.
The AFNIS 2024 summit is scheduled to take place from July 16 to 18, 2024, at the State House Conference Centre, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
