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AFNIS 2025: Unlocking Africa’s Resource Potential Through Local Content and Cross-Sector Collaboration

May 13, 2025

(3 Minutes Read)

The African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS) will return for its fourth edition from 15–17 July 2025, reaffirming its position as Africa’s premier cross-sectoral platform for sustainable, resource-based development. Convened by the Federal Government of Nigeria in partnership with key ministries—Solid Minerals Development, Petroleum Resources, Power, Environment, Industry, Trade & Investment, and Finance—the summit will revolve around the theme: “Harnessing Local Content for Sustainable Development.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, will deliver the opening address, with Dr. Oladele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, serving as Chief Host. Building on the momentum of AFNIS 2024, which drew over 25 national delegations and leading institutions such as the African Development Bank, IFC, WHO, AFC, and SEforALL, this year’s edition aims to be the most impactful to date.

Since its inception in 2022, AFNIS has evolved into a key forum for high-level policy dialogue, investment facilitation, and intra-African cooperation. Co-Chair Suleiman Zakari has described the upcoming summit as a “turning point” for the continent’s industrial and energy future, with unprecedented interest from investors, governments, and the private sector.

AFNIS 2025 is set to deepen focus on leveraging Africa’s natural wealth to generate domestic economic value—emphasising local content, industrialisation, refining, and integrated supply chains. Key sectors expected to participate include mining, oil and gas, renewables, power, and finance.

The summit’s cross-sectoral approach allows for a comprehensive examination of Africa’s development landscape. Delegates will tackle challenges such as infrastructure deficits, policy harmonisation, and capital access—aiming to stimulate local manufacturing and attract sustainable investments. A key milestone will be the commissioning of a lithium processing plant, underscoring Africa’s role in the global energy transition.

AFNIS 2024 paved the way for new initiatives, including Africans for Africa (AforA)—a Pan-African platform to mobilise domestic capital and expertise. The AforA Fund will officially launch during this year’s summit. Meanwhile, the Nigeria-SEforALL Critical Minerals Partnership will unveil a Council-backed report and announce a major new project.

The summit agenda includes:

High-Level Ministerial & CEO Retreat (14–15 July)
Strategic Policy Summit (16 July)
Technical Day (17 July)

These sessions will explore themes such as green economy integration, responsible sourcing, and domestic capital mobilisation. Among the prominent speakers is Prof. Kevin Chika Urama, Vice President and Chief Economist at the African Development Bank, known for his work on Africa’s resource-finance nexus.

AFNIS 2025 is not just a forum for ideas—it’s a platform for action and investment, enabling financiers to connect directly with emerging opportunities and allowing policymakers to align strategies across sectors and borders. The summit reflects a renewed commitment to inclusive, collaborative, and Africa-led development.

AFNIS 2025 is a defining opportunity to transform Africa’s latent potential into shared prosperity, anchored in its people, resources, and unified vision for the future.