Can you start by telling us about the African Minerals Development Center and your role there?
The African Minerals Development Center (AMDC) was established as the coordinating arm for the African Union Commission (AUC) in the implementation of the Africa Mining Vision (AMV) at the continental level. The AMDC’s role is in line with the directive of the AU Conference of Ministers Responsible for Mineral Resources Development. The center is mandated to work with AU member states, the AUC, the AUDA-NEPAD, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and Regional Mechanisms (RMs).
AMDC’s primary goal is to support African countries in leveraging their mineral resources for sustainable development, industrialization, and economic transformation. The AMDC’s ultimate goal is ‘a prosperous and transformed Africa achieved through sustainable development of mineral and energy resources’ as indicated in its Business Plan. AMDC’s business model is to provide policy advisory services and technical support by leveraging on coordination and collaboration with strategic partners working in the sector, by leading the agenda and the narrative on minerals in Africa, strengthening capacities at various levels, supporting and fostering inter-country and regional collaboration, and developing knowledge products.
Our main stakeholders are African Union (AU) Member States, the private sector, ASM actors, civil society organizations (CSOs), community leaders, and other entities aligned with our goals. Our knowledge products and implementation instruments include: the Country Mining Vision (CMV) guidebook, the AMV Compact with the Private Sector, the Africa Minerals Governance Framework (AMGF), the Africa Minerals and Energy Classification Framework (AMREC) and the Pan-African Reporting Code (PARC), the African Union Commodity Strategy (2021), the AMDC Guidance on Africa’s Minerals for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development, and the recently endorsed (December 2024) African Green Minerals Strategy (AGMS).
As the Interim Director, my role is to provide strategic leadership and coordination for AMDC’s programmes and activities. This includes building a sustainable institutional legacy to ensure AMDC operates effectively and efficiently while setting the agenda for minerals-driven development in Africa. I am responsible for delivering substantive and timely reports to the Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry, and Minerals (ETTIM) and, through them, to AU Member States.
A key aspect of my role is developing and executing the overall strategy for the Center through dedicated roadmaps and implementation plans, including communication strategies. I also lead efforts to position AMDC as a repository of knowledge and expertise on minerals for development in Africa, steering discussions on critical, green, and strategic minerals, as well as other emerging topics in the sector.
Additionally, I focus on fostering partnerships to leverage knowledge and expertise that support Member States in policy development and implementation using AMDC’s specialized tools. This includes promoting responsible mining practices aligned with the principles of the African Mining Vision (AMV). Representing AMDC, the African Union, and Africa’s interests at high-level forums, panels, webinars, and advisory boards is another vital part of my responsibilities. I also organize high-level events to advance the objectives of the AMV.
On a day-to-day basis, I manage and supervise employees and consultants within AMDC’s interim secretariat, ensuring their effective performance and delivery of the Center’s goals and annual targets. These targets span thematic areas such as strategic, green, and critical minerals; geological and mineral information systems; strategies for the Africa Minerals and Energy Classification and Management (AMREC); artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM); and other relevant areas.
What is the Africa Mining Vision?
The Africa Mining Vision (AMV) is a comprehensive framework adopted by African Union heads of states and governments in 2009. It outlines a vision and a blueprint for ensuring that Africa’s vast mineral resources contribute meaningfully to sustainable development and inclusive growth. The AMV’s goal is ’to create a transparent, equitable, and optimal exploitation of mineral resources to underpin broad-based sustainable growth & socio-economic development’. The vision emphasizes the need to create a transparent, equitable, and sustainable mineral sector that effectively integrates mining into Africa’s social and economic fabric. The AMV advocates for policies that promote value addition, linkages to other economic sectors, and environmental sustainability, all while respecting community rights and fostering inclusive growth.
The AMV outlines several key focus areas to achieve its goals:
- Resource-based industrialization and diversification, by using minerals as a basis for industrial development and diversification of African economies, and by promoting linkages between the mining sector and other economic sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, and services.
- Transparent and accountable governance, by strengthening institutions and regulatory frameworks to ensure good governance in the management of mineral resources; and by enhancing transparency and accountability in revenue management and contractual agreements.
- Geological and mineral information systems, by strengthening geological knowledge and data to attract investment and support resource-based planning; and ensuring that mineral resource information is accessible to both policymakers and investors.
- Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), by formalizing and supporting artisanal and small-scale mining to improve livelihoods, working conditions, and environmental practices; and by providing technical and financial support to ASM operators.
- Environmental and social sustainability by ensuring that mining activities minimize environmental degradation and address social impacts, including the displacement of communities; and by incorporating principles of sustainable development into mining policies and practices.
- Human and institutional capacity development, by building the capacity of African governments, institutions, and individuals to effectively manage mineral resources; and by investing in education and skills development to support local employment in the mining sector.
- Research and development, by promoting innovation and research to improve the efficiency and sustainability of mining operations; and by encouraging partnerships between governments, academic institutions, and the private sector.
- Revenue management and optimization, by enhancing mechanisms for fair and equitable sharing of mineral revenues, including taxation and royalties; and by establishing sovereign wealth funds and other mechanisms to manage mineral wealth for future generations.
- Regional cooperation and integration, by promoting regional and cross-border cooperation in mineral development to foster shared infrastructure and value chains; and by encouraging the harmonization of policies and regulations across countries.
- Community engagement and empowerment, by ensuring the participation of local communities in decision-making processes related to mining projects, and by supporting community development programmes and addressing the social impacts of mining.
By focusing on these areas, the AMV aims to transform Africa’s mining sector into a driver of inclusive growth and development, ensuring that mineral wealth benefits all Africans, both now and in the future.
What are some major impacts that this vision and plan can have for the future of Africa and for the industry?
The AMV has the potential to transform Africa’s mineral sector into a driver of inclusive growth and industrialization. By focusing on value addition, it can reduce the continent’s dependence on raw material exports and foster local manufacturing industries. This shift can create jobs, build local expertise, and stimulate technological innovation. Additionally, by embedding environmental and social sustainability in its core principles, the AMV can ensure that mining activities do not harm communities or ecosystems. Ultimately, the AMV’s implementation can position Africa as a leader in responsible and sustainable mineral resource governance, benefiting both the continent and the global industry. In practice, in the 15 years that AMV has existed, the top 20 mineral producing countries in Africa have reformed their minerals policies towards alignment with the AMV. Having inspired initiatives such as the DRC-Zambia Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Value Chain Project, the AMV can have profound impacts on Africa’s future and the mining industry. As the AMV emphasizes adding value to raw materials before export, in the case of the DRC-Zambia project, this means processing cobalt, lithium, and nickel into battery components locally instead of exporting raw ores; and developing a regional BEV supply chain to kickstart broader industrialization, creating manufacturing hubs in Africa.
Moreover, value addition can significantly increase revenues for African governments and local businesses compared to exporting raw materials. With regards to regional integration and cooperation, the AMV advocates for harmonization of policies, for cross-border collaboration, which is essential for DRC and Zambia to jointly manage resources and share infrastructure. The project could create a regional economic corridor, linking mining sites, processing plants, and export facilities, including shared infrastructure as coordinating investments in transport, energy, and logistics between the two countries can reduce costs and improve efficiency. Local processing and manufacturing will create skilled and semi-skilled jobs, reducing unemployment; and revenues can be reinvested into health, education, and infrastructure in mining communities.
By developing a local BEV value chain, Africa can gain a stronger foothold in the global clean energy market, particularly as demand for Electric Vehicles (EVs) and batteries surges, and African countries can reduce their dependency on foreign technology and markets by fostering homegrown industries. A well-integrated BEV value chain can increase export competitiveness and make DRC and Zambia key suppliers in the global EV industry.
The successful implementation of the DRC-Zambia BEV Value Chain Project, aligned with the AMV, can position Africa as a global leader in the green energy transition, ensure sustainable economic growth that benefits current and future generations, and serve as a model for resource-based industrialization across the continent.
By aligning the DRC-Zambia BEV Value Chain Project with the AMV’s principles, Africa can shift from being a raw material exporter to a key player in the global green economy.
Africa is playing an essential role in the energy transition due to the vast amount of critical minerals found there. How can we best position African countries for success as both regional and international players seek to gain access to these materials?
To position African countries for success in the energy transition, we must prioritize several key strategies. In the forthcoming African Green Minerals Strategy (AGMS), aligned with the AMV, green minerals are defined as “green minerals are feedstocks into clean energy technologies, green industries, and into mining supply chains and equitable industrialization to serve Africa’s needs.”
First, governments should establish clear, transparent, coherent, comprehensive, multi-sectoral, and equitable policies to regulate the extraction and trade of critical minerals.
Second, there should be a focus on developing local processing and value-addition capabilities to retain more economic benefits within the continent. To achieve local processing, it is recommended to invest in infrastructure and technology for refining and manufacturing to move up the value chain. With regards to regional value chains, it is recommended to develop cross-border industrial clusters that integrate countries’ strengths and resources, such as linking DRC’s cobalt with Zambia’s copper in battery production. On export diversification, it is recommended to position African products as integral to clean energy supply chains by marketing high-quality, sustainably sourced green minerals.
Third, international partnerships must be mutually beneficial, emphasizing technology transfer, capacity building, and fair trade practices. To achieve balanced negotiations, it is recommended to use collective bargaining power to negotiate fair trade agreements and secure favourable terms with international investors. On technology transfer, it is recommended to partner with global players to gain access to advanced technologies and develop local technical expertise. On sustainable financing, the AGMS advocates the establishment of an African Green Mineral Value Chain (MVC) Investment Fund to seek investment funds and climate financing to support infrastructure development, while avoiding exploitative debt arrangements.
Fourth, African countries should invest heavily in human capital development. It is recommended to establish technical education and training programmes focused on mining, metallurgy, renewable energy technologies, and green industries. On research and development (R&D), it is recommended to promote innovation by investing in R&D centres that focus on battery technology, resource efficiency, recycling, and clean technologies. The Lubumbashi Center of Excellence for Advanced Battery Research in the DRC is a step in the right direction. The inclusion of youth and women through inclusive policies that create opportunities for underrepresented groups in the mining and energy sectors is highly recommended.
Fifth, African countries should prioritize building infrastructure for sustainable growth. To achieve green energy, it is necessary to develop renewable energy infrastructure to power mining and processing, reducing the carbon footprint of mineral production. With regards to transport networks, it is crucial to improve railroads, ports, and roads to support mineral exports and regional trade. It is also essential to invest in digital infrastructure for smart mining operations and efficient supply chain management.
Sixth, African countries should strengthen resource governance and ownership. To achieve that, it is recommended to implement strong frameworks for mining licence, contracts, and revenue management to ensure accountability and prevent exploitation. It is also recommended to encourage joint ventures or equity stakes in mining operations to retain a larger share of profits locally. On policy harmonization, it is recommended to align national policies with the African Union strategies to ensure coherence and regional integration in mining governance.
Seventh, regional and continental integration should be a high priority. It is recommended to have pan-African frameworks that align national strategies with the African Green Minerals Strategy to foster collaboration and consistency across borders. On resource sharing, it is recommended to facilitate resource sharing and infrastructure development between neighbouring countries to maximize efficiency and competitiveness. It is also highly recommended to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to create unified markets for mineral products and energy technologies
Lastly, African countries should collaborate regionally by engaging in global energy transition dialogues. It is essential to have a coherent advocacy to assert Africa’s role as a key player in the energy transition by actively participating in international fora such as COP negotiations and G7/G20 dialogues. AU and AMDC’s participation in the UNSG Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals (CETM) was an important step in that regard. It is also recommended to advocate for global standards that ensure fair pricing, responsible sourcing, and ethical mining practices. By doing so, Africa can become a key player in the energy transition while ensuring its long-term economic and social prosperity. And very lastly, a global branding is essential for Africa. We therefore need to position African minerals as ethically sourced and environmentally sustainable, building a competitive advantage in the global market.
What should junior mining companies operating in Africa be aware of when working here? How can they work to ensure that they are being responsible partners?
Junior mining companies should be aware of the unique regulatory, social, and environmental contexts of the African countries where they operate. They must adhere to national laws, respect community rights, and align their practices with the principles of the Africa mining vision.
To be responsible partners, they should prioritize open and transparent engagement with local communities, invest in capacity building, and support local content development. Environmental stewardship is also critical; companies must implement sustainable practices, adhere to international standards and norms, and mitigate any adverse impacts of their operations. By fostering trust and contributing positively to the host communities, junior mining companies can create long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships.
We are coming up to one of the industry’s major annual events, Mining Indaba. Can you talk about what sort of conversations you’re expecting to have at this year’s event?
I look forward to engaging in critical discussions at Mining Indaba 2025, under the theme “Future-proofing African Mining, Today.” This year’s theme resonates deeply with the African Union’s agenda for sustainable resource management, the African Green Minerals Strategy, and the imperative for a just and equitable energy transition. I anticipate in engaging in discussions on decarbonization and green minerals for the energy transition. The discussions will most likely revolve around Africa’s pivotal role in supplying green ‘critical’ minerals like cobalt, lithium, and rare earths essential for renewable energy and battery technologies, and also sustainable mining practices. In the various platforms AMDC will be featuring, we will make sure to sensitize and raise awareness about the African Green Minerals Strategy as it is comprehensive in addressing these issues. I also anticipate discussions around local value addition and industrialization, moving up the value chain, promoting beneficiation and processing industries to ensure Africa captures more value from its mineral resources. AMDC will be leading the content pillar on Industrializing Africa, so we are excited to be leading the discussions on this particular topic. I also anticipate discussions around regional integration, highlighting projects such as the DRC-Zambia battery value chain initiative as models for cross-border industrial collaboration, including on attracting manufacturing investments, thus positioning Africa as a hub for EV battery manufacturing, leveraging its green minerals and youthful workforce.
Given the 2025 theme, I expect discussions on technology and innovation in mining, including on smart mining, showcasing how digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and automation can optimize resource extraction, improve safety, and reduce environmental impact. In the Innovation Hubs, I highly anticipate discussing the role of centres of excellence such as the Lubumbashi Center of Excellence for Batteries in fostering research and development. I also expect discussions around artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), including exploring tech solutions to formalize artisanal mining support, ensuring that they benefit from the green energy transition. I also expect conversation about future-proofing Africa’s resource management including on how geological information, AMREC, and PARC can support the development of value chains for green minerals, by using standardized frameworks such as AMREC and PARC to strengthen governance, prevent illicit financial flows, and ensure equitable revenue sharing. I also hope discussions will be held around how African countries can leverage geological data for climate-resilient infrastructure planning and sustainable development, and the role of innovative technologies in how Africa collects, processes, and reports geological and mineral information.
I also anticipate discussions around financing African mining, including opportunities for green investments, such as climate finance and green bonds, investment funds to develop sustainable mining projects, including risk management by providing frameworks for mitigating geopolitical and market risks in mining investments.
I look forward to having conversations on community inclusion, ensuring that mining projects incorporate local communities as stakeholders, providing them with jobs, education, and healthcare benefits. A particular interest is on promoting the inclusion of women in mining, from executive roles to on-the-ground operations and also youth employment by creating pathways for Africa’s growing youth population to participate meaningfully in the mining and energy sectors.
Overall, I hope to have meaningful discussions and dialogues on global collaboration: Leveraging partnerships with international organizations for capacity building and knowledge transfer; Africa’s role in the global energy transition; strategic alliances, including discussing how African countries can collaborate to assert themselves as indispensable players in the global energy transition.
