On Wednesday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu cautioned about the severe implications of Africa’s longstanding role as a supplier of raw minerals to countries outside the continent. He stated that the continuous extraction of these resources has perpetuated poverty and underdevelopment across Africa.
The Nigerian leader made these remarks while delivering a keynote address at the African Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) meeting, held alongside the ongoing 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States.
President Tinubu noted that although Africa possesses a substantial share of the world’s mineral reserves—accounting for 92% of global platinum, 56% of cobalt, and 54% of manganese—most of these minerals are extracted and exported for processing and manufacturing in foreign nations.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the international gathering, the President emphasized the critical need for the continent to move away from this dependency. He argued that extracting raw minerals without local processing only exacerbates Africa’s underdevelopment and extends its economic difficulties.
