Demand for critical minerals is projected to triple by 2030, and with Africa holding 30% of global reserves, several nations are working to align policies and collaborate regionally. This effort aims to address sector challenges and unlock an estimated $8.6 trillion in untapped mineral resources.
The upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) 2026, scheduled for October 14–16 in Cape Town, will feature a Ministerial Forum titled ‘Regional Policy Alignment: Mining Code Reforms to Unlock Value.’ The forum will bring together African mining ministers to discuss intergovernmental policy coordination and its impact on mineral trade and local beneficiation.
Intra-African trade currently accounts for only 16% of the continent’s total trade. Several countries are implementing policies to strengthen regional market integration. Namibia is finalizing a new Mining Code intended to establish the country as a regional hub, connecting southern African markets with global buyers of high-value minerals. Namibia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Nangula Frienda Ithete, has stated the country’s alignment with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and its readiness to serve as a gateway between the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and international markets.
Ghana, Africa’s largest gold producer, is also leveraging the AfCFTA to bolster trade and investment. In early 2026, Ghana partnered with South Africa’s Rand Refinery to improve local gold processing, supporting artisanal mining empowerment, local beneficiation, and regional collaboration. Ghana’s Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, emphasized that African integration is a strategic economic vision requiring harmonized policies.
Nigeria, possessing 44 identified minerals and reopening over 2,000 mines, is advancing regional integration through frameworks like the African Mining Vision and the Africa Mineral Strategy Group. Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Henry Alake, has called for broader investment across the region, advocating for corridors linking countries like Lagos and Maputo to facilitate cross-border factories, job creation, and value addition. Nigeria signed a strategic partnership agreement with South Africa in 2025 to strengthen its solid minerals sector using South African expertise.
South Sudan is collaborating with South Africa to accelerate national geomapping and mineral exploration as it seeks to diversify its economy beyond petroleum.
These initiatives highlight a growing focus on regional cooperation, trade enhancement, and mineral sector growth across African markets. The Ministerial Forum at AMW 2026 will provide a platform for mining ministers to share updates on regional cooperation initiatives and showcase investment opportunities for global investors.
AMW serves as a premier platform for exploring mining opportunities across Africa and is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2026 conference from October 12-16 in Cape Town. Interested sponsors, exhibitors, and delegates can contact sales@energycapitalpower.com for more information.
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