Business
Alake Urges Africa to End Raw Mineral Exports
Africa mineral value addition push gains momentum as Minister Dele Alake urges nations to stop exporting raw minerals and strengthen regional cooperation
Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Oladele Alake, has called on African nations to end the long-standing practice of exporting raw minerals, urging a stronger focus on regional cooperation and value addition.
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Alake made the appeal at the Kenya Mining Investment Conference and Exhibition 2026, where he warned that Africa risks missing out on the full economic benefits of its vast mineral wealth if it continues operating in isolation.
He said the continent is central to a global industrial transition driven by demand for critical minerals used in clean energy technologies, digital systems, and advanced manufacturing.
Despite this advantage, he noted that African countries still earn only a small portion of the value generated from their natural resources due to limited local processing capacity.
The minister stressed that the current global minerals structure presents both challenges and opportunities, adding that no single African country can fully maximise the benefits alone.
He urged nations to harmonise mining policies, strengthen cross-border infrastructure, and expand intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.
Alake also highlighted the role of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, describing it as a growing platform for coordination, investment attraction, and regulatory alignment across member states.
He said the group, established in 2023 with 16 countries, has now expanded to 31, reflecting increased commitment to a shared development agenda.
According to him, value addition remains central to Africa’s industrial future, as it has the potential to create jobs, boost revenues, and drive economic transformation.
Alake further noted that ongoing shifts in global supply chains present a strategic opportunity for Africa to reposition itself as a key player in mineral-based industries.
He, however, warned that success would depend on consistent policy reforms, transparency, environmental responsibility, and improved investment conditions.
Africa holds large reserves of critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements, but continues to lose significant value due to limited processing infrastructure.
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The minister maintained that with coordinated leadership and stronger regional collaboration, Africa can move from being a raw material exporter to a value-driven industrial hub.
The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) has dismissed allegations that it appropriated the Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit (NDEIS) brand, insisting it lawfully obtained trademark acceptance for the name and will proceed with its 2026 summit as scheduled.
In a statement issued on September 12, 2026, the chamber described claims by Kunle Nwiwa Junior as “cheap blackmail, misleading, mischievous and a misrepresentation of the facts,” maintaining that it independently developed the summit and followed all required regulatory procedures.
According to NDCCITMA, it applied for and received a Trademark Acceptance Letter for the name Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit (NDEIS) in August 2025 under File No. NG/TM/O/2025/387284.
The chamber said the chronology of events contradicts allegations that it copied another party’s application, arguing that its trademark acceptance predated the period during which Nwiwa’s own application was reportedly still pending before the relevant authorities.
“Economic Summit” is a generic expression
NDCCITMA further argued that the phrase “Economic Summit” is a generic description widely used for conferences that bring together governments, investors, businesses, development institutions and other stakeholders to discuss investment and economic development.
The chamber maintained that while concepts may be widely used, legal protection only arises from recognised intellectual property rights, including duly registered trademarks and other enforceable proprietary interests.
It therefore rejected suggestions that any individual or organisation has exclusive ownership of the broader concept of an economic summit.
Court grants interim injunction
Addressing reports that the summit had been halted, NDCCITMA said the dispute is already before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt and that there is no court order restraining the event.
The chamber disclosed that in Suit No. FHC/PHC/CS/57/2026, Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam granted an interim injunction restraining the defendants—Kunle Nwiwa Junior and Keneva Consult Ltd.—from interfering with the planned summit.
According to NDCCITMA, the court also directed the defendants to remove publications, notices, petitions, social media posts and other statements allegedly considered damaging to the chamber’s name, integrity and reputation pending the hearing of its motion for interlocutory injunction.
The matter has been adjourned until September 22, 2026 for further hearing.
Chamber rejects ₦500 million demand claim
NDCCITMA also alleged that it had received a demand from Nwiwa Junior requesting ₦500 million as a condition for abandoning his claims over the summit.
The chamber said the demand was rejected, adding that it subsequently petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over what it described as repeated harassment and threats directed at its officials.
It said the petition sought police intervention, including inviting the complainant for questioning and caution where necessary.
Summit opens September 15
Despite the legal dispute, NDCCITMA reaffirmed that the 2026 Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit will hold from September 15 to 17, 2026, at the Obi Wali Conference Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The summit will be held under the theme “Driving Investment, Innovation & Industrial Growth in the Niger Delta” and is expected to bring together policymakers, investors, business leaders, development partners and industry stakeholders to discuss economic transformation across the region.
The chamber said it remains committed to promoting commerce, industry, trade, mining, agriculture and sustainable economic development throughout the Niger Delta while allowing the courts to determine all outstanding legal issues.
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