The African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS), has shifted its focus from policy discussions to implementation-driven engagements aimed at unlocking investments and accelerating project execution across Africa’s mining and energy sectors.
It said that the investments span critical minerals including lithium, gold and rare earth elements.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, disclosed this in Abuja, during a press briefing ahead of the 5th African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS) 2026.
Represented by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Solid Minerals Company, Mr. Martins Imonitie, the minister attributed the investment inflow to reforms introduced under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The 2026 edition is themed “One Africa, One Resource Vision,” reflecting a renewed push for continental collaboration in resource development, industrialisation and economic transformation.
Alake said: “Under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and through the leadership of the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, we have witnessed investments of approximately $3 billion into the sector over the last three years.
“Mining investors take a long-term view before committing capital. Therefore, for this government to attract approximately $3 billion in mining investments within three years is highly commendable and a strong indication of greater opportunities ahead.”
He described the achievement as unprecedented in Nigeria’s mining history, stressing that attracting such a volume of investment within a short period demonstrates growing investor confidence in the country’s mining sector.
According to him, mining is a long-term investment business, often requiring between 15 and 20 years from mineral discovery to full-scale production.
He added, “What makes AFNIS 2026 different from previous editions is its deliberate focus on implementation. This year, the programme has been designed to facilitate direct engagement between governments, investors, financiers, project developers and technical experts.
“Dedicated sovereign meeting rooms, investor engagement sessions, ministerial dialogues, CEO roundtables, project financing discussions, responsible sourcing roundtables and project de-risking engagements have all been incorporated into the Summit architecture.
“The objective is such that participants should leave Abuja with new partnerships, new investment opportunities and practical pathways for execution. One of the clearest indicators of AFNIS’ growing relevance is the level of participation it continues to attract from across the continent.
“This year, we are expecting senior government representatives and ministers responsible for mining, petroleum, energy and industrial development from several African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Liberia and Mauritania, among others.”
Also speaking, Director of Strategy and Platform Development at Core International, organisers of AFNIS, Mr. Archibald Troko, said the summit has grown into one of Africa’s leading platforms for investment promotion, policy dialogue and natural resource development.
Troko said: “One of the things I am very proud of at Core International is that this summit has become one that is not just about talking. Let me give you some numbers from the last four summits. We have facilitated more than $600 million in deals, fostered stronger and more aligned trade agreements, supported policy harmonisation, and contributed to the development of new standards for natural resource development across jurisdictions.”
Troko noted that the summit has also contributed to stronger trade agreements, policy harmonisation efforts and the development of standards for natural resource governance across Africa.
He said that AFNIS has attracted more than 5,000 delegates over the past four years, with participation from over 30 African countries through ministerial delegations and senior government officials.
Troko disclosed that ministers and delegations representing about 20 per cent of Africa’s mining and natural resources sector have already confirmed attendance at this year’s summit.
According to him, the summit seeks to advance Africa’s transition from a supplier of raw materials to a hub for value addition, industrial development and shared prosperity.
AFNIS 2026 will feature ministerial strategic sessions, investor engagement forums, project financing discussions, CEO roundtables, responsible sourcing dialogues and bilateral meetings designed to connect governments, financiers and project developers.
A major highlight of AFNIS 2026 will be the unveiling of the Mutually Assured Development (MAD) Framework under the African Mineral Strategy Group (AMSG), aimed at promoting resource sovereignty, local value addition, industrialisation, regional integration and strategic mineral cooperation across Africa.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development Engr. Faruk Yusuf Yabo, represented by the Director of Investment Promotion and Mineral Trade, Mrs. Esther Nkechi Udo, said AFNIS has become a critical platform for advancing conversations on sustainable resource development and investment across Africa.
Yabo noted that the summit comes at a time when demand for critical minerals is accelerating globally, creating fresh opportunities for African countries to leverage their resource wealth for economic transformation.