Shettima made the call in New York while representing President Bola Tinubu at the Third High-Level Roundtable of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

He said Africa needed to move beyond its traditional role as a supplier of raw materials and develop industries capable of processing its mineral resources within the continent.

According to the Vice President, greater local processing would help African countries create jobs, strengthen industries and retain more value from their natural resources.

Shettima also called for stronger cooperation among African countries, including the development of regional processing hubs, integrated markets and cross-border mineral corridors.

He cautioned against competition among African nations for foreign investment through lower royalties, weaker local-content requirements and excessive concessions, arguing that stronger continental coordination would improve Africa’s bargaining position in global mineral supply chains.

The Vice President said Africa could not continue to consider itself wealthy because of its mineral resources while communities located around mineral deposits remained poor and lacked adequate economic opportunities.

He also highlighted reforms in Nigeria’s mining sector, including efforts to improve geological data, formalise artisanal mining, promote local value addition and tackle illegal mining.

Shettima pointed to developments in lithium processing in Nasarawa State as an example of the opportunities available when mineral resources are processed locally.

He further backed the Africa Minerals Strategy Group’s Mutual Assured Development Framework, which promotes predictable policies, credible institutions, responsible investment, technology transfer and local value creation.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development and Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, Dele Alake, also proposed the establishment of an African Artisanal Mining Formalisation and Safety Facility.

The discussions formed part of broader efforts to develop strategies that would enable African countries to derive greater economic benefits from the continent’s mineral wealth.