UNGA 80: Tinubu Calls for African Investment in Minerals, Stronger Global Role
UNGA 80: Tinubu Calls for African Investment in Minerals, Stronger Global Role
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged African nations to take decisive steps in repositioning the continent’s mineral sector for global influence, calling for a complete rephase of the financial and economic framework governing Africa’s natural resources.
Speaking at the opening session of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Tuesday, the Nigerian leader stressed that Africa must move beyond being a mere supplier of raw materials to becoming a dominant player in the global value chain.
Tinubu argued that for decades, African countries have been shortchanged in the international market, with their vast mineral wealth exploited without commensurate returns for their people.
He insisted that it was time for the continent to finance, refine, and market its mineral resources independently, thereby shaping global demand and supply dynamics.
“Africa cannot continue to be on the margins of decision-making in the global financial system while holding some of the most critical resources that drive the modern economy. We must not only finance our mineral sector but also assert our rightful influence in the global supply chain,” Tinubu said.
The President noted that critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and manganese essential for renewable energy, battery technology, and advanced manufacturing are abundant in Africa, yet foreign interests dominate their exploration and export.
He emphasized that Africa’s economic independence depends on transforming these resources into finished products that will serve both local industries and international markets.
Tinubu also called for stronger global partnerships based on fairness, equity, and mutual respect, warning that continued exclusion of African voices from international financial and trade negotiations would only deepen global inequality.
The Nigerian leader’s remarks come as African countries intensify discussions on economic integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and seek greater inclusion in international forums such as the G20 and the UN Security Council.
Observers say Tinubu’s call reflects a growing consensus among African leaders that the continent must leverage its natural wealth to drive sustainable development, industrialization, and geopolitical relevance in the 21st century.
