By Adaora Adibe
The Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has been invited to participate in the 2nd African Raw Materials Summit organised by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), scheduled to hold from June 22nd to 24th, 2026 at the Abuja Continental Hotel.
The summit, a flagship initiative of the Council, is expected to bring together key stakeholders, policymakers, researchers, industrialists, and financial institutions within the raw materials value chain to foster growth and drive industrial development across Africa. Themed, “From African Feedstock to African Factory,” the event aims to promote value addition and economic transformation on the continent.
The Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of RMRDC, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, extended the invitation during an interaction with the WTO DG at the Nigeria Economic Society (NES) Annual Policy Series 2026, held at the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa in Mabushi, Abuja.
Prof. Ike-Muonso conveyed the Council’s honour in inviting Dr. Okonjo-Iweala to the landmark event, noting that her participation would greatly enrich discussions and provide valuable insights to participants. He described the summit as a strategic platform for advancing Africa’s raw materials sector and strengthening industrial linkages.
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In her response, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala commended the Council’s efforts in promoting raw materials development and expressed appreciation for the invitation, indicating her willingness to be part of the summit.
Earlier, during a fireside session at the NES policy series, the DG WTO, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala stressed the urgent need for African countries to move beyond the export of raw materials without value addition. She described value addition as “non-negotiable,” emphasizing that Africa possesses the capacity to industrialize and maximize the benefits of its abundant natural resources.
Her position on value addition aligns with the core mandate of RMRDC and under the leadership of its Director-General, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, who is championing the proposed 30% value addition bill. The initiative seeks to ensure that a minimum of 30% value is added to locally sourced raw materials before export. If implemented, the policy is expected to stimulate economic growth and generate employment opportunities across Africa’s teeming population.
