By Uloma Peace Okorie
The Federal Government, the ECOWAS Commission and other African delegations on Monday declared that Africa must end the decades-old model of exporting raw materials and importing finished goods, insisting the continent must process what it produces.
The call was made at the opening of the 2nd Africa Raw Materials Summit (ARMS 2026) holding at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja. The Summit, convened by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) under Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, brought together over 1,800 delegates from 54 African countries under the theme “From African Feedstock to African Factories.”
FG: Pit-to-Port Must End
Delivering the keynote address, the Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said Africa holds over 40% of the world’s mineral resources but captures less than 15% of its value.
“For decades, we have operated a pit-to-port economy – we dig it up, ship it out raw, and buy it back at ten times the price. That model must end. And it will end with us,” the Minister said.
He said government will enforce the proposed 30% Mandatory Local Value-Addition Bill, create Raw Materials Aggregation Clusters, leverage AfCFTA for regional value chains, and link.
RMRDC’s new data platform – NISRAN – to Bank of Industry and Afreximbank for a bankable Deal Book.
Senate: Bill Will Be Passed In 2-3 Days – Senator Aminu Iya Abbas
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation, Senator Aminu Iya Abbas (Adamawa Central), assured that the National Assembly will pass the Bill within days.
“As explained by the Minister of Industry and Justice, the Bill is re-transmitted back to us. Hopefully within the next two to three days we will pass it for signing. We work as one country – executive and legislature hand-in-hand,” Abbas said.
“Let’s process our things here. Let’s get employment here. You can imagine the number of jobs when you process 30 percent of all our raw materials.”
Sudan: Having Resources Is Not Enough To Lead
The Sudanese delegation said responsible minerals development is central to Sudan’s recovery, but warned that resources alone do not guarantee prosperity.
“They told me having a resource is not enough to lead. People who have knowledge and technology can lead you. They take 70% of the share of your own resources. We as Africans need to work together,” the delegate said, recalling a meeting in China where half the participants discussing African resources were Africans.
Sudan listed four priorities: in-continent processing, linking mining with affordable energy including renewables, responsible mining that protects communities, and transparent investment rules with reliable geological data.
ECOWAS: Africa Must Supply Finished Products
The ECOWAS Commission, speaking through the Office of the Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, said industrialization is central to regional integration.
“Africa cannot continue to export raw materials and import finished goods made from those resources. Our natural resources must become the foundation of our factories, our jobs and our prosperity,” ECOWAS said.
It said its Common Industrial Policy targets more processing, stronger manufacturing GDP and expanded trade in made-in-Africa goods, connecting MSMEs to markets under the ETLS and AfCFTA.
“Africa must not merely supply the world with raw materials, we must increasingly supply the world with finished products, African technology and African ingenuity.”
NASRDA: Feedstock Is Foundation For Space Development
Also, the Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Prof. Mathew Adepoju, said industrial transformation is rooted in scientific advancement.
“We recognize that feedstocks are not just traditional commodities, they are the foundation of space development,” the DG said in a message delivered on his behalf.
He commended RMRDC and called for stronger partnerships to transform raw materials into finished goods in Africa.
The Summit, which features exhibitions of locally fabricated machines, B2B meetings and factory visits, continues on Tuesday with the Africa Raw Materials Industry Awards.
