COMMUNIQUÉ: Second AMSG High-Level Roundtable on Critical Minerals Development in AfricaHeld on the Sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, New York City, United States of America, 22 September 2025
Preamble
We, the Heads of State and Government, Ministers, and high-level representatives of the Member States of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), strategic partner countries, sovereign wealth funds, multilateral institutions, and global private sector leaders in the mining, energy and technology sectors, convened on the 22nd of September 2025 at 1271 Avenue of Americas in Manhattan, New York on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly for the Second AMSG High-Level Roundtable on Critical Minerals Development in Africa, co-convened by H.E Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, H.E William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, and the leadership of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group led by Hon. Dr. Oladele Henry Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group and H.E Moses Micheal Engadu, Secretary-General of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG).
Appreciating the unprecedented global demand for critical minerals and rare earth elements as essential inputs for the energy transition, digital transformation, defense industries, and next-generation infrastructure;
Upholding the sovereign right of African nations to benefit equitably from their vast mineral endowments;
Underscoring the strategic necessity of building a unified African voice and architecture for mineral governance, beneficiation, and financing;
Guided by the African Mining Vision (AMV), Agenda 2063, and the AMSG Charter adopted in January 2024, and;
Recognizing the centrality of critical minerals in driving the global energy transition, digital transformation, defense systems innovation, and green industrialization;
Affirming Africa’s Sovereign Right to steward its mineral wealth and define the terms of its participation in global value chains;
Acknowledging the urgency of elevating Africa’s collective voice, strengthening continental governance, and fostering homegrown financing models for mineral-led development;
Committed to building resilient partnerships anchored in mutual respect, equity, transparency, and sustainability.
We hereby adopt the following Communiqué:
I. Strategic Commitments and Resolutions
Advancing Mineral Value Addition and Industrialization in Africa
We reaffirm our collective and unified commitment to transforming Africa from a supplier of raw materials into a global hub for value-added minerals and green manufacturing. We resolve to deepen intra-African collaboration, promote downstream processing and local manufacturing, and harness technology and skills transfer through mutually beneficial industrial partnerships. We call for enhanced cooperation, public-private partnerships, and technology transfer to industrialize our mineral wealth and create jobs for our youth.
Accelerating Exploration and Data Sovereignty
We welcome the launch of the AMSG Mineral Exploration Initiative and fully support the accelerated rollout of the African Minerals and Energy Resources Classification and Management System (AMREC) and the Pan-African Resource Reporting Code (PARC). We call on all Member States to harmonize their national systems with these continental standards, and to significantly scale-up their investment in geological exploration and mapping as a strategic foundation for resource sovereignty, industrial planning, and investor confidence.
Mobilizing Sustainable and Sovereign Financing
We call for the establishment and capitalization of Africa-led, innovation-driven financing vehicles to support exploration, beneficiation, processing, infrastructure, and green industrialization. We invite sovereign wealth funds, multilateral institutions, and private equity partners to co-create blended finance mechanisms aligned with AMSG priorities, including the Africa Mineral Token (AMT) and other blockchain-based solutions.
Enhancing Africa’s Position in Global Critical Minerals Security
We resolve to develop a coherent African Strategy on Critical Minerals Security, focused on responsible sourcing, resilient supply chains, strategic stockpiling, and regional value retention. We commit to collectively advancing Africa’s role as a steward of critical minerals, such as lithium, cobalt, copper, graphite, rare earths, niobium and manganese, that are vital to the global energy, digital, and defense futures.
Safeguarding Peace, Stability and Territorial Integrity
We commend President Donald J. Trump and the leadership of the United States of America, for facilitating the peace accord between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Rwanda, an important step toward lasting stability in the Great Lakes region. As a Founding Member of AMSG and a critical player in Africa’s mineral future, we reaffirm the DRC’s territorial integrity, sovereign development rights, and central role in building a peaceful, prosperous, and self-reliant continent.This historic moment affirms what is possible when diplomacy, peace, and shared prosperity are placed at the heart of international engagement
Institutionalizing the AMSG Platform
We commend the Federal Republic of Nigeria for its leadership in chairing the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) and the Republic of Uganda for hosting the AMSG Secretariat. We reaffirm our commitment to fully institutionalizing the AMSG Charter and mandate the AMSG Secretary-General to provide technical assistance for country-level accession and implementation.
Building Strategic Partnerships Anchored on Equity and Transparency
We acknowledge the presence and engagement of strategic partners from the European Union, United Nations and United States of America. We reaffirm the need for transparent, inclusive, and equitable global partnerships that prioritize local content development, value retention, technology access, shared prosperity, and environmental stewardship.
Championing Green and Responsible Mining
We affirm our commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, gender inclusivity, and climate-smart mining practices. We recognize the vital role of artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM) and commit to their formal inclusion in national value chains through training, finance, traceability systems, and emphasize the role of women and youth in the future of Africa’s mineral economy.
II. Attending Heads of State, Ministers, Government Representatives, Strategic Partners and AMSG Leadership
The following Heads of State, Strategic Partners and AMSG Leadership participated in the Second AMSG High-Level Roundtable on Critical Minerals Development in Africa:
His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu – President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (represented by Vice President H.E Kashim Shettima).
His Excellency William Ruto – President of the Republic of Kenya (represented by Hon. Hassan Ali Joho).
Her Excellency Jessica Epel Alupo – Vice President of the Republic of Uganda.
His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu – Governor of Lagos State, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
His Excellency Dauda Lawal – Governor of Zamfara State, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Honourable Dr. Dele Alake, AMSG Ministerial Steering Committee Chairperson and Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Honourable Hassan Ali Joho, Cabinet Secretary for Mining Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Republic of Kenya.
Honourable Louis Watum Kabamba, Minister of Mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
His Royal Highness Prince Lonkhokhela Dlamini, Minister of Natural Resources and Energy of the Kingdom of Eswatini.
Honourable Jozef Síkela, Commissioner for International Partnerships, European Commission.
Honourable Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Minister of Environment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Honourable Uche Nnaji, Minister of Science and Technology of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Her Excellency Pamela Coke Hamilton, Executive Director, United Nations International Trade Centre.
Her Excellency Ahunna Eziakonwa, UN Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and UNDP Regional Director for Africa.
His Excellency Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Uganda to the United Nations.
Honourable Hajiya Hadiza Usman Bala, Special Advisor on Policy Coordination to the President of Nigeria.
Honourable Christian Dunbar, Senior Advisor, Investment, Trade and Development, Office of the President of the Republic of Liberia.
Honourable Flavia Tshibangu, Senior Strategic Advisor, Office of the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Honourable Dr. Oandeh K. Yumkella, Chair Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security, Office of the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
Mr. Harry Kimtai, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Republic of Kenya.
Hajiya Fatima Shinkafi, CEO, Solid Minerals Development Fund, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Eng. Simon Nkom, Director General, Mining Cadastre Office, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Mrs. Esther Udo, Director, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dr. Vincent Amu, Founder and CEO, OilDynamix Ltd.
Mr. Andres Blanco, Global CEO, Xcalibur Smart Mapping.
Dr. Ulrich Eichhorn, Group CEO, GeoScan GmbH.
Engr. Adamu Hussaini Asba, President, Asba & Wisdom International.
Mr. David Ziyambi, Partner, Latham & Watkins LLP.
Ms. Nere Emiko, Founder and Executive Chairman, Kian Smith Ltd.
Mr. Andrew Hunter, CEO, Hunter & Co.
Ms. Helaina Matza, Chief Strategic Development Officer, TechMet Ltd.
Ms. Betty M. Huber, Corporate Partner, Global Head of Sustainability Practice, Latham & Watkins LLP.
Ms. Nikki Buffa, Environmental and Resources Partner, Latham & Watkins LLP.
Mr. Victor Gonzalez Vice President, Xcalibur Smart Mapping.
Mr. Oliver Haeggberg CEO, GeoScan GmbH
Mr. Andre Lafelle Roberson, Executive Director, Power of One Foundation.
Mr. Mark Bullock MBA, Founder and CEO, DMR Engineering.
Mr. Tonny Carol, Advisor US International Finance Partners.
Mr. Divyam Nagpal, Principal Specialist (Renewable Energy), Sustainable Energy for All.
Mr. Suleiman Zakari, Managing Partner, Core International.
His Excellency Moses Micheal Engadu, Secretary-General, Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG).
All Excellencies expressed strong support for the outcomes of the Roundtable and collectively endorsed this Communiqué.
III. Appreciation and Recognition
We extend our profound appreciation to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, under the leadership of H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for graciously convening and chairing this historic Roundtable, and to H.E President William Samoei Ruto of the Republic of Kenya for co-convening and providing steadfast continental leadership to this pivotal dialogue.
We also express our deep gratitude to all Heads of State and Government, in attendance, particularly those representing Founding Member States of AMSG. Their presence underscored the continental unity, political resolve, and strategic vision required to unlock the full potential of Africa’s critical minerals. Their participation reaffirmed the indispensable role of high-level leadership in shaping a new era of cooperation, value addition, and shared prosperity across the continent.
We acknowledge the instrumental role of the AMSG Ministerial Steering Committee, chaired by Hon. Dr. Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Mineral Development of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the vital contribution of Hon. Hassan Ali Joho, Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs of the Republic of Kenya, whose coordination efforts were key to the success of the Second AMSG High-Level Roundtable on Critical Minerals Development in Africa.
We recognize and commend the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), under the visionary stewardship of H.E. Moses Micheal Engadu, for providing strategic leadership in organizing this high-level platform and for advancing a coherent and unified African vision for critical minerals development and governance.
We further acknowledge the distinguished Government Representatives, Partner States, Multilateral Institutions, Private Sector Leaders, and Investors whose presence and contributions underscore the shared commitment to Africa’s mineral renaissance.
IV. Call to Action
We mandate the AMSG Secretariat, under the leadership of the Secretary-General, to:
Develop a comprehensive AMSG Critical Minerals Investment Framework within 12 months to guide project pipelines, partnership models, and funding strategies;
Establish a Continental Mineral Data Repository anchored in AMREC and PARC, accessible to member states, partners, and investors;
Launch the Africa Mineral Token (AMT) pilot with willing countries and blockchain experts as a demonstration of innovative, transparent, and inclusive mineral finance;
Prepare for the Third AMSG High-Level Roundtable in 2026 under the theme: “From Resources to Wealth”.
We reaffirm our collective resolve to meet again with deeper unity, strategic clarity, and a shared purpose, to build the Africa we want: prosperous, self-reliant, and globally respected.
DONE in New York City, United States of America, on this 22nd day of September 2025.
Endorsed by:
Heads of State and Government of the AMSG Member States and Strategic Partners.
Signed on behalf of the Assembly by:
H.E Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Roundtable Convener and Chair
[represented by H.E Kashim Shettima, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria]
H.E William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya
Roundtable Co-Convener
[represented by Hon. Hassan Ali Joho, Cabinet Secretary of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs]
Hon. Dr. Oladele Henry Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Nigeria and Chairman, Africa Minerals Strategy Group
Roundtable Co-Convener
H.E Moses Micheal Engadu, Secretary-General, Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG)
Roundtable Co-Convener
