The federal government will commission a new lithium processing plant during the 4th edition of the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS), scheduled to take place from July 14 to 17, 2025, at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.
In a statement released on Monday, Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, announced that the summit will be held under the theme: ‘Harnessing Local Content for Sustainable Development’.
According to Tomori, AFNIS 2025, regarded as Africa’s premier platform for unlocking the continent’s vast resource potential, “will bring together professionals in mining, energy, agriculture, and finance alongside policymakers across the continent, to develop bold solutions that will chart a pathway for sustainable growth through local innovation and collaboration.”
“The conference aims to promote the development and financing of green energy projects, facilitate trade and knowledge sharing, develop supportive policies for the natural resources sector whilst highlighting investment opportunities across the continent,” he added.
Dr. Dele Alake, who will serve as the summit’s host, is expected to deliver a keynote address. “The minister, renowned across the continent as the advocate of local value addition, will be throwing more light on reforms and efforts of the Tinubu administration to not only make Nigeria a viable investment destination but also make the mining sector lead Nigeria’s industrial renaissance,” said Tomori.
He further noted that, “as the Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), Alake adorns a double hat, bringing on board his far-reaching continental influence to ensure the summit achieves its objectives and doesn’t end up as a mere talk show.”
ASBA Lithium Plant Showcases Local Value Addition
A major highlight of AFNIS 2025 will be the commissioning of ASBA Group’s lithium processing facility, described as a landmark achievement in the ministry’s push for local value addition.
“Featuring prominently in AFNIS 2025 is ASBA Group of companies, a dynamic Nigerian conglomerate with deep investments in mining, real estate, and industrial development,” Tomori announced.
“ASBA Group’s partnership with AFNIS affirms their commitment to driving Africa’s sustainable growth through local content and value-chain integration.”
He added that the lithium facility “is a testament to the efficacy of Alake’s local value addition policy as the potential of the new plant to unlock jobs, herald technology transfer, and propel downstream industrialisation is simply limitless.”
Also expected at the summit are high-profile delegates including Hon. Hassan Ali Joho, Kenyan Secretary of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, and Hon. Jeanine Cooper, Liberia’s former Minister of Agriculture. “Jeanine Cooper… will give the summit a boost with her vast insight and systems-thinking approach to resource management,” Tomori noted.
Other notable attendees include Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO of the UN SRSG for Sustainable Energy for All, and Segun Lawson, CEO of Nigeria’s prime gold mining firm.
Tomori confirmed that the 4-day event will also welcome “a high-powered delegation from the Indian Business Council,” presenting another opportunity for Nigeria to “concretise partnerships that landed multi-billion-dollar investment deals at the G20 summit in New Delhi 2023.”
He concluded by emphasising that the summit will open “new vistas for collaboration with Nigeria’s business community.”
