By Dr. Elisée Byelongo Isheloke
A Strategic Inflection Point for African Mining
Africa’s mining sector is at a decisive crossroads. Global commodity demand is rising, supply chains are fragmenting, and geopolitical realignments — particularly the growing influence of Asia and BRICS economies — are reshaping how minerals are financed, traded and processed.
The central question for Africa is no longer whether mining can generate growth, but whether it can do so on African terms.
In December 2025, the Democratic Republic of the Congo signed a U.S.-brokered peace agreement with Rwanda in Washington. While framed as a step toward regional stability, the deal has sparked debate over sovereignty, transparency and governance. Critics argue the agreement reflects a transactional approach that risks exchanging mineral access for short-term political gains, with limited consultation across domestic institutions and regional stakeholders.
Observers, including the Center for Preventive Action, have called for a more inclusive, people-centered peace process anchored in accountability, justice and human rights, citing the scale of human suffering linked to mineral-driven and related conflicts in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Wars and prolonged instability from 1996 through the late 2000s are estimated to have contributed to 5 million to 6 million deaths, with violence and displacement continuing in the years since.
Despite holding some of the world’s largest reserves of gold, iron ore and energy-transition minerals, Africa continues to export most of its resources in raw form. That model is increasingly under strain, as governments across the continent link mining policy to beneficiation, industrialization and economic sovereignty, reinforced by resource nationalism and expanding South-South partnerships.
Despite holding some of the world’s largest reserves of gold, iron ore and critical energy-transition minerals, Africa still exports the bulk of its resources in raw form. Today, however, governments are increasingly tying mining policy to beneficiation, industrialization and economic sovereignty — a shift reinforced by BRICS engagement, local-currency trade discussions and stronger resource nationalism.
“Africa is the world’s richest mining jurisdiction… We must use that endowment for our own benefit.” — Gwede Mantashe, South Africa’s Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
Policy Recalibration and Resource Nationalism
Across the continent, recent developments reflect a more assertive policy posture. Mali’s settlement with Barrick Mining, allowing full operations to resume at the Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex, underscores the growing willingness of governments to renegotiate mining terms in pursuit of fairer revenue sharing. Ghana’s decision to ban mining in forest reserves highlights a parallel priority: sustainability and environmental protection.
Zimbabwe’s move to soften a proposed gold royalty increase shows the delicate balance between maximizing state revenues and maintaining investor confidence — a recurring theme across African mining jurisdictions. Meanwhile, Guinea’s Simandou iron ore project has begun exports, reinforcing Africa’s strategic importance in global supply chains while exposing persistent challenges around jobs and local economic inclusion.
Source: Tabled by the researcher ( Adapted from: (Nhede, 2025)).
From Extraction to Industrial Partnerships
African leaders are increasingly explicit about redefining the nature of foreign partnerships. Speaking on mineral processing and investment, Gabonese President Brice Oligui Nguema recently stated: “We are not poor countries. We are rich countries when it comes to raw materials… We want partners who help us process and develop those resources.”
This shift aligns with broader efforts to embed mining into regional manufacturing strategies, infrastructure development and downstream industries. Rather than relying solely on export royalties, governments are targeting smelting, refining and mineral-based manufacturing as engines of long-term growth.
Industry voices echo this position. At Mining on Top Africa (MOTA) 2025, Michael Edem Akafia, President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, emphasized that: “Deeper local content and value retention will ensure mining delivers broader economic benefits, not just export revenues.”
Mining, BRICS and Africa’s Economic Future
As Africa deepens trade ties with BRICS economies and explores alternatives to dollar-centric trade structures, mining sits at the heart of the conversation. Minerals are not only export commodities; they are strategic assets that can anchor industrial policy, strengthen regional trade under the AfCFTA, and position Africa as a critical player in the global energy transition.
The era of passive extraction is fading. Africa’s mining future will be defined not by what leaves its ports, but by what is built at home — industries, skills, resilience and economic sovereignty.
