Mahama urges African countries to focus on minerals processing locally

On Monday, African leaders convened at the African Minerals Policy Forum to advocate for enhanced collaboration on mineral policies and the expansion of local processing of mineral resources. This gathering, held in Accra, aimed to foster a unified approach to managing mineral resources across Africa, promote regional value chains, and stimulate investment in processing and manufacturing sectors to bolster industrial development.

President John Dramani Mahama, who inaugurated the conference, emphasized the continent's need to transition from exporting raw minerals to producing finished and semi-finished goods to bolster its economies. He noted that Ghana, for instance, had been exporting manganese and bauxite, only to import the finished products made from these ores.

To attain this goal, Mahama outlined the necessity of investments in processing facilities, reliable energy, transport infrastructure, technology, human skills, and financial resources. He further stressed the importance of African nations aligning their negotiating positions to ensure they secure more favorable terms from mining companies.

Francisca Tatchouop Belobe, African Union Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry, and Minerals, highlighted that Africa possesses nearly 30% of the world's critical mineral reserves but only secures a small portion of the value derived from them. She emphasized the need for Africa to shift from mere extraction to processing, manufacturing, and the development of robust African businesses.

Belobe called for the rigorous implementation of continental frameworks such as the African Mining Vision, the African Green Minerals Strategy, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to bolster regional value chains. Jeremiah Koung, Vice-President of Liberia, advocated for the adoption of common principles in mineral development, while respecting individual national contexts.

He identified regional infrastructure, dependable geological data, transparent mineral agreements, community benefits, and responsible artisanal and small-scale mining as key areas for cooperation. Koung emphasized that mining communities should reap the benefits through local employment, business prospects, and environmental preservation, asserting that plans for mine closure and livelihood restoration should commence prior to the cessation of extraction.

Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources of Ghana, highlighted that his country is implementing reforms to enhance local participation, bolster community protections, and link mineral extraction to domestic processing and manufacturing. The Cabinet approved a revised minerals and mining policy and endorsed amendments to the Minerals and Mining Act for parliamentary deliberation.

Buah stated that the government is also fortifying local content and procurement to facilitate Ghanaian enterprises to participate effectively in the mining sector. He urged African nations to pinpoint regional mineral value chains, synchronize infrastructure investments, and collaborate with the private sector to establish commercially viable processing opportunities.

The summit speakers concurred that while partnerships with foreign investors remained crucial, they should guarantee technology transfer, skilled employment, the strengthening of African enterprises, and lasting advantages for mining communities.