This text was produced with the help of Mining Indaba
The time is opportune for Africa’s mining sector to step up and realise its full potential. With its huge mineral reserves, the continent possesses the assets to energy the subsequent section of growth for the continent and the globe. Given strong debate round which minerals will probably be most necessary to gas that growth, there’s renewed curiosity in Africa from internationally.
Unlocking this potential requires greater than useful resource extraction — it calls for a collective effort from governments, private-sector gamers, downstream patrons, communities and civil society.
The 2026 Investing in African Mining Indaba (MI26) theme, “Stronger collectively: Progress by partnerships” highlights the transformative energy of collaboration in addressing the sector’s challenges and alternatives.
MI26 is a pivotal occasion for mining professionals, buyers, and business leaders seeking to capitalise on the huge alternatives in Africa’s mining sector. Mining Indaba 2026 comes at a vital time for Africa, because it maps the function it should play within the world economic system.
The convention theme is powerfully expressed within the visible identification for MI26, with a fingerprint motif representing the human element of the business and underscoring the necessity for collaboration throughout the sector.
Frans Baleni, chairman of the Mining Indaba govt advisory board, explains that this 12 months’s theme aligns with the South African philosophy of ubuntu – a perception in a shared, important humanism.
“Ubuntu holds that unity is power — that once we work collectively, we craft a greater future. That is basically true. By collaborating, we are able to form outcomes for the betterment of all stakeholders – and the surroundings.”
This was echoed by Gwede Mantashe, South Africa’s Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Sources. “Our power lies in constructing partnerships that recognise the mutual worth of funding. We perceive that buyers search returns, and rightly so, however we’re equally dedicated to making sure that the advantages of progress and growth are shared with employees, communities, and the nation at massive. Progress is simply significant when it lifts all stakeholders,” he mentioned.
Group-centric mining: A brand new paradigm
One of the vital shifts in Africa’s mining panorama has been the popularity of the necessity to contain indigenous and native communities. Traditionally not prioritised, these teams as we speak have a seat on the desk, as stakeholders, beneficiaries and equal companions. This shift is encouraging mining corporations to undertake extra sustainable and community-centric approaches.
Dr Marit Kitaw, financial affairs officer on the United Nations Financial Fee for Africa, requires a reimagining of the best way that the continent’s mineral bounty may be developed, in order that it advantages a wider vary of stakeholders.
“The theme ‘Stronger collectively: Progress by partnerships’ is a name to reimagine partnerships on Africa’s progress journey, to see minerals not as instruments of comfort, however as devices of collective empowerment,” she says. “Africa’s transformation by minerals can solely be achieved when everybody, together with ladies, youth, marginalised communities, artisanal miners, governments, business, civil society, academia, and cooperating companions, sit on the desk as equal companions. Stronger collectively, we rise!”
By fostering mutual respect, clear dialogue, and inclusive decision-making, mining operations can be sure that native communities profit from useful resource growth whereas preserving cultural heritage and environmental integrity. From abilities sharing and job creation to bettering livelihoods and empowering indigenous voices, this new paradigm recognises that mining success should lengthen past manufacturing outputs to incorporate shared prosperity and social fairness.
Mzila Mthenjane, CEO of the Minerals Council South Africa, emphasises the function of collaboration in driving progress.
“The South African mining sector is positively impactful, however much more so in collaboration with authorities and different social companions,” he says. “The sector is poised for progress and can allow the funding and growth of key infrastructure that helps livelihoods and financial progress.”
Defining vital minerals
A vital world debate is underway across the thought of vital minerals – assets deemed strategically necessary for financial, technological, or developmental causes.
Exactly which minerals are vital varies in line with nationwide pursuits. For Africa, its reserves of iron ore and gold see it nicely positioned to energy infrastructure and expertise growth in addition to monetary markets. Based on the United Nations, the continent has 40% of the world’s gold and as much as 90% of its chromium and platinum.
The continent additionally holds round 55% of world reserves of cobalt – a significant enter in batteries for electrical automobiles, smartphones and laptops. DRC accounts for 70% of world manufacturing.
Nevertheless, to maximise the advantages of those assets, Africa should transfer past exporting uncooked supplies to growing native beneficiation and refining capabilities.
Tony Carroll, a member of the Mining Indaba Govt Advisory Board, advocates for a strategic pivot.
“We will not function as earlier than,” he says. “Neither bulk exports of unrefined ore nor export bans are sturdy options. The business has to pivot towards practices that present extra worth and expertise switch in African nations. This transition will probably be aided by the introduction of extra nimble and economically viable refining applied sciences and the supply of supportive infrastructure by way of public-private partnerships.”
This shift would require governments, buyers, and mining corporations to work collectively to develop industrial hubs, dependable transport networks, and power methods that help native processing and manufacturing. By prioritising infrastructure and industrialisation, Africa can place itself as a frontrunner within the world power transition whereas making certain that its mineral wealth advantages its individuals.
Kwasi Ampofo, Head of Mining and Metals at BloombergNEF, highlights the importance of collaboration on this context.
“‘Stronger collectively: Progress by partnerships’ means uniting governments, non-public sector, communities, and civil society to remodel mining, attaining a shared triumph for Africa’s future,” he says.
Know-how and sustainability: The best way ahead
Innovation is one other cornerstone of the 2026 Mining Indaba. From AI-driven exploration to digital-twin expertise, the mining sector is embracing disruptive applied sciences to reinforce effectivity, security, and sustainability.
Laura Nicholson, content material and communities director for Mining Indaba, stresses the significance of innovation.
“Investing in African Mining Indaba is a platform the place transformative concepts and collaborations come to life,” she says. “Our purpose is to drive each funding and the sort of revolutionary expertise partnerships that create shared prosperity.”
Disruptive applied sciences additionally provide a chance to have interaction Africa’s youth. By investing in abilities coaching and schooling programmes round superior mining applied sciences, the business can create pathways for younger individuals to guide the sector’s transformation, constructing a resilient, future-ready workforce.
Governance and coverage harmonisation
Sturdy governance and harmonised insurance policies are important for a steady, enticing funding surroundings. When African governments unite, they unlock progress in mining and the broader economic system. Harmonised rules, higher infrastructure and accountable funding create a steady basis, whereas worldwide partnerships carry expertise, funding and experience to fast-track success.
Mantashe underscores the significance of aligning funding objectives to construct mutual worth.
“Traders search returns, and rightly so, however on the Division of Mineral and Petroleum Sources, we’re equally dedicated to making sure that the advantages of progress and growth are shared with employees, communities and the nation at massive. Progress is simply significant when it lifts all stakeholders.”
Constructing Africa’s future collectively
Because the 2026 Mining Indaba approaches, it’s clear that the way forward for African mining lies in partnerships. Whether or not it’s governments harmonising rules, corporations investing in communities, or innovators pushing technological boundaries, collaboration is the important thing to unlocking Africa’s full potential.
By fostering mutual respect, clear dialogue and inclusive decision-making, the mining sector can be sure that Africa’s mineral wealth turns into a catalyst for justice, prosperity and dignity for all.
Investing In African Mining Indaba 2026, with its theme enjoining the business to be “Stronger Collectively”, affords members a golden alternative to accomplice with business stakeholders to unlock prospects and strengthen the sector.
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