Stakeholders seek investment boost for Africa’s gold, gemstones

Stakeholders in Africa's gold and gemstone industries have called for improved investment platforms, skills development, women's participation, innovation, and international collaboration. The organizers of the Gold and Gemstones Conference & Exhibition (GGCE) 2026 announced this ahead of the event, which will take place from November 24 to 28 in Lagos.

The theme for the fifth anniversary edition is "African Women Driving Africa's Gold and Gemstone Economy: Catalysing Investment, Innovation and Global Competitiveness." The anniversary edition aims to discuss how investors, entrepreneurs, and industry players can create more value from Africa's mineral wealth within the continent instead of just celebrating its existing wealth.

The conference will connect investors with opportunities in mining, processing, jewellery manufacturing, technology, trading, design, and value addition while building partnerships to strengthen local capacity. Africa still exports significant volumes of raw minerals with minimal local value addition, and GGCE 2026 will promote investment in beneficiation, processing, jewellery manufacturing, skills development, technology, and access to global markets.

Janet Adeyemi, president of Women in Mining Nigeria, said the fifth anniversary demonstrated "resilience, dedication, consistency, and an unwavering belief in the potential of Africa's gold and gemstone industry." Adeyemi promised a bigger, more impactful edition that would meet the expectations of an increasingly global industry.

The 2026 edition will honor African women driving change across the value chain, from mining to jewellery manufacturing, through a dedicated Awards and Recognition segment. The growing participation of women is unlocking new livelihoods, strengthening local value chains, and proving that Africa's mineral wealth can create broader economic opportunities when women gain access to skills, finance, technology, markets, and leadership platforms.

In addition to the conference and exhibition, GGCE 2026 will feature jewellery-making masterclasses to help entrepreneurs develop technical and creative skills and understand how to transform raw materials into commercially valuable products.