IN a bid to enhance the economic potential of Africa’s mineral wealth, member countries of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) convened in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe, for the inaugural Mining Investment Forum. During the two-day event, stakeholders emphasised the importance of adding value to mineral resources before exporting them.
AMSG Secretary-General Moses Engadu underscored the need for African nations to maximise gains from their mineral reserves by processing them locally. Speaking at the forum’s launch, opened by Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera, Engadu highlighted a common challenge faced by African countries: the exportation of raw minerals instead of processed ones.
‘No mineral must leave our borders without adding value — at least primary value addition must be done here,’ Engadu asserted, urging Malawi and other African nations to prioritise local processing initiatives.
The AMSG, comprising 16 African countries, aims to foster international cooperation for the sustainable development of critical minerals across the continent.
Supporting Engadu’s call for value addition, South Sudanese Minister of Mining, Martin Gama Abucha, emphasised Africa’s need to develop and market its minerals more effectively. Abucha stressed the importance of leveraging local processing capabilities to enhance the value chain and maximize economic benefits.
In his address, President Chakwera urged financial institutions operating in Malawi to support the mining sector by facilitating the establishment of local laboratories for testing mineral samples. Chakwera emphasised the significance of adding value to raw minerals domestically before export, aligning with the AMSG’s objectives.
The Mining Investment Forum serves as a platform for African nations to collaborate on strategies for sustainable development in the mining sector, with a focus on enhancing local processing capacities and maximising economic returns from mineral resources.