- Ministers of Mining in Africa are rallying behind progressive policy shifts to empower communities, formalize small-scale mining, and boost local value addition across the continent.
- They note that mining is no longer just about digging minerals out of the ground; it’s about ensuring those minerals translate into schools, roads, clean water, and decent jobs.
- Policymakers note that lasting policy change depends on strengthening institutions, building trust with communities, and ensuring access to capital and training.
Deep inside Africa’s abundant mineral wealth lies a bitter reality: while the continent is home to some of the world’s richest deposits of gold, cobalt, copper, and rare earth elements, much of its population remains disconnected from the value chain and the huge benefits of these natural assets.
At the just concluded Mining in Motion 2025 Summit in Accra, ministers from Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) came together to challenge this narrative, championing a bold new vision—comprehensive mining reforms to Africa’s extractive codes and practices designed to drive equitable, sustainable development.
Mining Reforms: A New Tier for Medium-Scale Mining in Ghana
Ghana, one of Africa’s oldest mining economies, is spearheading several ambitious reforms, with a focus on creating a more inclusive ecosystem that supports local participation and long-term growth. Alhaji Yusif Sulemana, Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, announced the introduction of a medium-scale mining category to bridge the chasm between artisanal and large-scale operations.
This legal innovation aims to provide local miners with a growth pathway, supported by access to technology, financing, and responsible markets. “We want miners to start small, adopt sustainable practices, and gradually move up to larger operations. It’s about creating an ecosystem of growth and accountability,” Sulemana explained.
Beyond creating space for indigenous entrepreneurs, Ghana’s reforms include regulations that promote local content. The country’s Local Content and Policy Regulation mandates the use of Ghanaian goods, services, and personnel in mining operations, helping retain more value within national borders.
Putting People First: Liberia’s Path to Formalizing Small-Scale Mining
Liberia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Wilmot J.M. Paye, echoed Ghana’s inclusive tone, noting that artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is not a fringe activity—it is central to Liberia’s economic identity. “Small-scale mining is where hundreds of thousands of our people get their livelihoods,” he said.
To harness this potential, Liberia is working to simplify mining regulations and enhance intergovernmental coordination. These changes are aimed at reducing bureaucratic barriers while empowering communities to become stakeholders in a more formalized and productive sector. “We’re bringing miners to the table,” Minister Paye asserted, noting that these reforms are embedded in Liberia’s national development plan.
Malawi’s Focus on Infrastructure and Finance
In Malawi, the vision for a transformed mining sector is being powered by long-term planning. Kenneth Zikhale Ng’oma, Minister of Mining, cited the importance of building human capital and facilitating access to financing. “We are linking ASM miners to banks so they can grow their formal enterprises,” he said.
Under Malawi’s Minerals and Mining Policy, the government is investing in modern infrastructure and technologies to improve productivity, safety, and environmental stewardship in the mining sector. By offering support mechanisms that enable miners to scale responsibly, Malawi is laying the foundation for a resilient mining economy that can weather commodity cycles and global market fluctuations.
Read also: The future of Africa’s energy sector: Balancing fossil fuels and renewables
Responsible Mining, Responsible Future: DRC’s Environmental Vision
Representing the DRC, a country with some of the world’s richest reserves of cobalt and copper, Deputy Minister of Mines Godard Motemona Gibolum reinforced the importance of environmental protection and local value addition. “We have a new vision—one in which we are adding more value to minerals and providing jobs for the people of our country,” he stated.
The DRC’s latest reforms include stricter contract terms, better monitoring systems, and government oversight that prioritizes environmental sustainability in ASM regions. These efforts align with the global demand for ethically sourced minerals—particularly as the world transitions to green energy technologies that rely on critical resources from Africa.
Reforms Beyond Regulation: Building Institutions and Trust
Across the board, ministers agreed that legal reforms alone are not enough. Lasting change depends on strengthening institutions, building trust with communities, and ensuring access to capital and training. Ghana’s Blue Water Initiative and Equipment Tracking Regulations were cited as pioneering frameworks for improving traceability and environmental standards—two issues that have historically plagued the sector.
As Africa repositions its mining industry, the focus is shifting from extraction to transformation. It’s no longer just about digging minerals out of the ground; it’s about ensuring those minerals translate into schools, roads, clean water, and decent jobs.
The Future is Local: A Continental Shift in Perspective
The Mining in Motion summit underscored a continental shift—an awareness that Africa must move from being a mere supplier of raw materials to becoming an active architect of its mining destiny. This means fostering public-private partnerships, encouraging innovation, and putting local people at the center of policy decisions.
Africa’s mineral wealth can—and must—be a catalyst for inclusive growth. With the right reforms, the continent has an opportunity to rewrite the rules of resource development and turn mining into a foundation for long-term prosperity.
