By Martha Agas

The Malawian Minister of Mining, Monica Chang’anamuno, says the country is committed to addition value to its minerals and rejigging the energy sector.

Chang’anamuno made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

The minister is attending the 2024 African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS), between July 16 to 18.

“In Malawi , we are advocating that every company that comes should have a certain percentage for value addition of our minerals.

“We do not want our minerals to go like that. there should be some form of benefit to the country,” she said .

She further explained that tbe country was working on rejigging its energy sector, as part of its efforts to facilitate ease of doing business for investors.

“Of course, we need to look at our energy sector to ensure that we have enough power being generated so that there will be no excuse for the companies when they come,” she said.

The minister described Africa as blessed with natural resources, particularly the critical minerals needed for energy transition, in commercial quantities.

She, however, said that many of the region’s minerals have been extracted in the past without undergoing value addition to boost its local economy.

She described the summit as appropriate for providing a platform for African countries to form partnerships aimed at developing their economies through value addition and other policies that facilitate sustainable development.

According to her, the summit is fruitful for the region, with commitment by countries to safeguard their minerals at both the national and continental levels.

“So this is the time we are saying that as Africans, we need to work together, that is why we have formed the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG).

“ So that we can come together as African ministers to share knowledge and experiences , we will be able to collaborate more and create jobs for our people,” she said.

NAN reports that the theme of the summit, is “Natural Resources for Economic Development.

The summit is the third edition and is being hosted by the Federal Government in partnership with Core International Mining Company.

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Summit: Malawi Committed to Value Addition, Rejigging of Energy Sector