Nigeria's Minister Dele Alake Leads Africa Minerals Strategy Group Amid Chinese Investment in Lithium

Dele Alake, Nigeria's Minister for Mines, has been re-elected as Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, promoting cooperation in critical minerals development. The group is pushing for the Madini Protocol, a blockchain platform aimed at enhancing Chinese control over Africa's mineral resources. Major Chinese companies have invested in lithium processing in Nigeria, with Canmax Technologies committing $200M. The Madini Protocol seeks to tokenize mineral reserves, raising concerns over Chinese dominance in the sector and illegal mining practices in Nigeria.

Published Mar 23, 2026

Dele Alake has been re-elected as Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, which advocates for the Madini Protocol, a blockchain platform intended to facilitate Chinese control over African mineral resources. Under Alake's leadership, Nigeria has attracted substantial Chinese investment in lithium processing, with Canmax Technologies investing $200M.

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The Madini Protocol aims to convert mineral reserves into digital tokens to raise capital for projects. However, this initiative raises concerns about Chinese dominance in resource management and illegal mining activities in Nigeria, where companies reportedly pay armed groups instead of state royalties.