Investment, regional cooperation key to African mineral value addition – MIIF CEO

MIIF CEO Justina Nelson has emphasized the importance of regional cooperation to enhance mineral value addition and economic benefits across Africa. Nelson highlighted the need for improved collaboration in investment, geological data sharing, and mineral processing to bolster regional value chains and enable African countries to retain more value from their mineral resources.

This call for stronger regional cooperation took place during a ministerial roundtable on mineral value addition and beneficiation, held at the African Minerals Policy Forum (Mining in Motion Conference) in Accra. The conference aimed to discuss strategies for transitioning from raw mineral exports to local processing and manufacturing.

Nelson underscored the significance of efficient management of mineral resources for securing lasting benefits for current and future generations. She stressed that policies aimed at attracting investment and promoting value addition in the mining value chain could generate jobs, bolster local industries, and elevate economic returns.

Nelson stressed the importance of sharing geological data to better understand Africa's critical mineral resources and identify opportunities for their effective utilization. She also urged for the effective implementation of existing policies and legislation, stressing that commitments to beneficiation must result in concrete investment and practical outcomes.

Participants at the roundtable identified affordable and reliable energy, access to finance, transport infrastructure, geological data, and technical skills as key prerequisites for viable mineral processing industries. They called for the establishment of stronger regulatory frameworks and coordination among governments, investors, and development institutions, pointing out opportunities to process minerals like lithium into higher-value products.

The Mining in Motion Conference, a platform endorsed by African Heads of State, aims to leverage Africa's mineral resources for inclusive economic growth, industrialization, and sustainable development.