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Despite Africa’s rich critical mineral resources, its share of global exploration budgets remains at just 10% in 2023 In 2004, African Ministers took a significant step in uniting for the continent’s mineral future by launching the African Mining Partnership, an African Union Ministerial organ responsible for mineral resource development and management. This initiative laid the foundation for the African Mining Vision (AMV), which seeks to address the paradox of Africa’s vast mineral wealth existing alongside widespread poverty. This initiative serves as the continent’s primary framework for transforming its mineral sector and stands out in several ways. Launched in February 2009, the AMV is one of the few policy instruments that spans the entire mineral resources value chain, ensuring inclusivity and local ownership. Additionally, it is inherently transformative, as reflected in its objectives, policy actions, and implementation structures. It underscores a developmental mining approach, ensuring that economic and social linkages benefit Africa itself. South Africa’s Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, reaffirmed the importance of this vision, stating that it aligns with Agenda 2063’s call to harness Africa’s natural resources for the benefit of its citizens and countries. A 10% tariff could reduce trade within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), contrary to its intended objectives – Gwede Mantashe African mining vision to unlock wealth “The African Mining Vision calls for ‘an Africa that harnesses critical mineral value-chains for equitable resource-based industrialisation and electrification, creating critical technologies and sustainable development to enhance the quality of life of its people,’” Mantashe highlighted at an African Ministers’ Round Table hosted during Mining Indaba 2025. The African Mineral Strategy, currently under review, is built on four key pillars: Advancing Mineral Development, Developing People and Technological Capability, Developing Mineral Value-Chains, and Mineral Stewardship—ensuring responsible exploitation of mineral resources. These four priorities align with South Africa’s leadership in the G20’s critical minerals agenda. Investment, infrastructure, and policy for a thriving industry Recognising the importance of economic policies, the strategy proposes a 10% tariff on critical mineral imports and exports. However, Mantashe warned that such tariffs could reduce trade within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), contrary to its intended objectives. Instead, he stressed the need to build local capabilities to produce high-value products that compete globally. Investment in infrastructure is crucial, as inadequate transport, energy, and telecommunications networks hinder intra-African trade. According to Mantashe, South Africa’s Mintek, with over 90 years of experience in mineral processing technology, is well-positioned to contribute to establishing processing facilities. Despite Africa’s rich critical mineral resources, its share of global exploration budgets remains at just 10% in 2023. Mantashe advocated for African nations to implement policies that attract exploration investments, improve regulatory frameworks, and create stable operating environments. “The focus on renewable energy applications in the strategy is warranted, but Africa must also highlight digital and medical technologies when communicating its priorities in the G20 critical minerals working group,” Mantashe added. With the right policies, infrastructure investments, and collaborative strategies, Africa can leverage its mineral wealth to foster sustainable economic growth and technological advancement. |
