Tolulope Fatunbi named African Entrepreneur of the Year in Mining and Natural Resources

Tolulope Fatunbi, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Dorogis Limited, has been honoured with the African Entrepreneur of the Year Award – Mining & Natural Resources for his contribution to Africa’s mining industry and advocacy for sustainable and technology-driven mineral development.

The award was presented at the 2026 Pan African Leadership Conference & Award following a year-long selection process that attracted more than 5,000 nominations from different continents and across various sectors.

Fatunbi was recognised for his entrepreneurial leadership, innovative approach to mineral exploration and efforts to promote mineral traceability and responsible resource development across Africa.

His work focuses on using Africa’s natural resources as a foundation for industrialisation, economic growth and sustainable development.

As the founder and CEO of Dorogis Limited, Fatunbi has emerged as a notable figure in Nigeria’s mining and natural resources sector, working at the intersection of geology, technology, automation and industrial innovation.

He has placed particular emphasis on the exploration and responsible development of critical minerals while advocating for greater value creation within Africa.

Fatunbi has called for a shift away from the traditional practice of exporting raw minerals towards local processing, beneficiation and industrialisation, particularly in resource-rich countries including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Namibia, Zambia, South Africa and Mozambique.

His advocacy also extends to stronger institutional frameworks for geological exploration and mineral development, including proposals for the establishment of an institution comparable to Brazil’s CPRM.

He has equally stressed the importance of responsible mining practices that protect the environment, promote community engagement and secure the social licence to operate.

The 2026 Pan African Leadership Conference & Award also recognised prominent personalities from across Africa in areas including entrepreneurship, technology, wellness, fashion and media.

Among the other honourees were Kaisha M. Faiza, Founder and Creative Director of Idaro Skincare, Kenya; Cyprian Makongoro, Founder and CEO of TIBALABS, Tanzania; Amb. Dr. Kabir Adeiza, Group Managing Director of KADEIZ Group, Nigeria; Angela Senosha, Founder and CEO of Positive Switch, South Africa; and Beky Abadula, CEO of Deborah Foundation, Ethiopia.

Others included Oumaima Mhijir of Morocco, Victoria A. Ajayi, CEO of TVC Communications, Nigeria; Jacqueline Lawrence, Founder and CEO of Highlands FM Radio, Tanzania; Esperanca Matsimbe, President of AMODEFA, Mozambique; Amadasun Olawunmi (Mimi), Founder of Eatwithmimi, Lagos, Nigeria; Marina Terry, a media personality from Sierra Leone; Bukola Oyedokun, Category Development Manager at Nestlé Waters, Nigeria; and Denilson Monteiro, President of the Cape Verdean Federation of Community Associations.

Commenting on the award, Fatunbi described the recognition as both an honour and a renewed responsibility to contribute to Africa’s development.

“This recognition is deeply humbling and represents a renewed responsibility to contribute even more meaningfully to Africa’s resource development and technological advancement.”

He said Africa’s mineral wealth should serve as a foundation for long-term economic transformation rather than remain primarily a source of raw-material exports.

“At Dorogis Limited, we are proving that Africa’s mineral wealth can be more than a source of extraction; it can drive industrial growth, technological advancement and widespread economic empowerment.”

Fatunbi is also promoting the use of artificial intelligence, geospatial science, geological expertise and innovative exploration technologies to enhance Africa’s competitiveness in the expanding global critical minerals market.

He said the continent’s young entrepreneurs had an important role to play in developing systems capable of converting Africa’s abundant natural resources into sustainable economic prosperity.

“Our generation must build the frameworks that turn Africa’s natural resources into long-term prosperity.”

The award recognises Fatunbi’s entrepreneurial leadership, technological innovation and advocacy for responsible resource development, while highlighting his vision of an African mining sector driven by technology, local value creation, sustainability and long-term economic impact.

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