By Adaora Adibe
In a strategic partnership aimed at transforming Africa’s economic landscape, the World Association of Industrial and Technology Research Organizations (WAITRO) has agreed to mobilise support from African nations and global partners for the second edition of the African Raw Materials Summit scheduled to take place at the Abuja Continental Hotel from June 23 to 25, 2026.
This was disclosed during a virtual meeting held on Thursday, March 12, 2026, between officials of WAITRO and the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC).
Responding on behalf of WAITRO, the organisation’s Director for Africa Development, Dr. Sechaba Bareetseng, reaffirmed WAITRO’s commitment to supporting the summit, noting that the organisation would mobilise Africa and its global membership to actively participate in the event.
“We will provide the necessary support, including mobilising WAITRO members, promoting the summit across our networks, and exploring opportunities for active participation,” he said.
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Dr. Sechaba added that the summit flier would be published on WAITRO’s website and communication platforms to broaden international awareness and participation. He commended RMRDC for prioritising Africa’s industrialisation agenda through initiatives aimed at strengthening the continent’s raw materials sector.
He also informed participants that WAITRO would host its own global summit in October 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey, expressing the expectation that active members such as RMRDC would participate in the event.
According to him, WAITRO would further encourage its member organisations to take part in the African Raw Materials Summit and explore opportunities for collaboration. He added that efforts would be made to facilitate the participation of WAITRO’s Secretary-General, Benjin Luo, as a keynote speaker, while he would participate in a plenary session, subject to internal consultations.
Sechaba highlighted potential areas of collaboration between the two organisations, including advanced materials development and cooperation with the National Innovation Centre for Excellence. He noted that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would be forwarded to formalise the partnership.
Earlier, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of RMRDC, Professor Nnanyelugo Ike‑Muonso, urged WAITRO to galvanise African countries and global partners to support the upcoming summit as part of efforts to foster economic transformation across the continent through strategic collaboration and value addition in Africa’s raw materials sector.
Ike-Muonso disclosed that the summit will focus on strengthening Africa’s raw materials value chains and industrial capacity. He said the theme of this years summit, “From African Feedstock to African Factory,” reflects the urgent need for the continent to harness its abundant raw material resources to drive sustainable industrialisation and economic transformation.
According to the DG, the summit will provide a strategic platform for stakeholders from Africa and beyond to exchange knowledge, showcase innovations, and deliberate on practical approaches to unlocking the full potential of the continent’s raw materials for industrial development.
Providing further details about the event, the Chairperson of the Summit Local Planning Committee, Rachel Kotso, explained that the inaugural edition held last year attracted participation from several countries, and organisers are working to build on that success.
She stated that the 2026 summit will feature technical presentations, high-level panel discussions, business-to-business meetings, exhibitions, and award ceremonies aimed at fostering partnerships and investment opportunities within Africa’s raw materials sector.
Kotso also emphasised that RMRDC has remained an active member of WAITRO and expressed confidence that the global organisation would serve as a strategic partner by leveraging its international network to galvanise participation from Africa and other regions.
In his remarks, Ike-Muonso expressed appreciation to WAITRO for its willingness to strengthen collaboration with RMRDC and assured that all proposals raised during the meeting would receive due consideration.
“Your programmes align closely with our mandate, and we look forward to working with your organisation to deepen cooperation and achieve mutual benefits,” he said, adding that the Council would expedite internal processes to review the proposed MoU upon receipt.
Kotso also thanked WAITRO for its commitment to the partnership and assured that all requested information, including a formal invitation to the summit, would be promptly conveyed.
Also speaking during the meeting were the Director of the Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Department at RMRDC, Mr. A. Kollere, and the Director of the Planning and Policy Department, Mrs. Giwa-Osagie, who both expressed optimism about welcoming the WAITRO delegation to the summit.
The Deputy Director for International Collaboration and WAITRO Focal Person at RMRDC, Dr.Oluremi Elusoji, concluded the meeting by thanking Dr sechaba for the productive engagement and reaffirming the Council’s commitment to building a robust partnership with the organisation.
