The African Minerals Development Center -AMDC

The African Minerals Development Center -AMDC The African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) is a specialized Agency of the African Union.

We have now concluded the Validation and Advocacy Workhop on the Sustainable Management of Mineral Resources in Nigeria....
26/02/2026

We have now concluded the Validation and Advocacy Workhop on the Sustainable Management of Mineral Resources in Nigeria. Stakeholders have successfully validated a the roadmap for Nigeria’s mining sector that aligns national policy with the Africa Mining Vision. The African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) in collaboration with Agence Française de Développement through Expertise France, brought together government representatives, private sector leaders, and civil society to address critical gaps in governance and sustainability. The discussions emphasized that for Nigeria to transition from a mining-centric to an industrialized economy, it must prioritize independent regulatory frameworks, enhanced agency capacity, and the integration of local professionals into global certification standards.

The Advocacy Workshop served as a platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue, focusing on the policy implications of Nigeria's mining evaluation and the necessity of equitable resource distribution. A major takeaway was the pivotal role of civil society organizations (CSOs), which act as a bridge between the government and local communities to ensure transparency and the fulfillment of Community Development Agreements. Participants advocated for moving beyond a reliance on artisanal mining toward scaled-up, small-scale operations that can better attract the significant capital investment needed to drive national growth.

To unlock the sector's full potential, the workshop highlighted the urgent need for data integrity and standardized reporting to meet international investor expectations. By addressing financing hurdles—such as the high-risk perception of emerging markets—and strengthening partnerships with security agencies to curb illegal activities, Nigeria is positioning its mineral wealth as a cornerstone of sustainable development. The finalized roadmap provides a clear path for integrating these findings into national planning, ensuring that the country's vast resources contribute to long-term structural transformation.

 The Validation and Advocacy Workshop is currently underway at the Rockview Royale Hotel to align Nigeria’s mineral mana...
23/02/2026



The Validation and Advocacy Workshop is currently underway at the Rockview Royale Hotel to align Nigeria’s mineral management with the Africa Mining Vision (AMV). This AMDC-led framework seeks to shift the continent from basic resource extraction to a model of high local value addition and sustainable development.

As Tunde Arisekola shared regarding this milestone:

"This assessment is geared toward transforming our mineral wealth into a catalyst for positive structural change. By aligning national policies with the Africa Mining Vision, we are moving toward a future of high local value addition and ensuring our resources drive sustainable development for all."

🎯 Key Objectives
Validate Findings: Reviewing the national evaluation of Nigeria's mining sector.

Policy Reform: Identifying gaps to better align local policies with the AfCFTA.

Strategic Roadmap: Building a consensus for integrating these sustainable practices into national planning.

This initiative, led by the AMDC in collaboration with Expertise France, is a vital step toward ensuring Nigeria’s resources benefit its people.

"The PanAfGeo+ project is a cornerstone of Africa-EU geoscientific cooperation, providing the technical foundation to tu...
12/02/2026

"The PanAfGeo+ project is a cornerstone of Africa-EU geoscientific cooperation, providing the technical foundation to turn our mineral wealth into sustainable growth." — Tunde Arisekola FNMGS, Acting Head of the AMDC.

On the sidelines of the Mining Indaba 2026, we celebrated a landmark moment for the PanAfGeo+ Partnership at the Cresta Grande Hotel in Cape Town. This gathering marked the transition into an ambitious new phase (2025–2029) of this flagship Africa-EU initiative.

This project strengthens institutional ties between the African Union and the European Union by enhancing the scientific capacities of African Geological Surveys. By focusing on sustainable resource governance, it ensures that geoscientific data directly supports the Africa Mining Vision and inclusive socio-economic development.

Since 2016, PanAfGeo has trained over 1,750 geoscientists across 54 African countries. The new phase will continue to empower local experts in geoscientific mapping, the formalization of artisanal and small-scale mining, and sound mineral resource management.

The celebration brought together dedicated leaders including:
Dr. Julie Hollis, Secretary General of European Geological Surveys
Tunde Arisekola FNMGS, Acting Head of the AMDC
Myriam Ferran, Deputy Director General of DG INTPA
Jean Claude Guillaneau, PanAfGeo+ Project Coordinator

Today in Cape Town, we concluded two high-impact Industry Intel sessions aimed at fundamentally reshaping Africa’s role ...
10/02/2026

Today in Cape Town, we concluded two high-impact Industry Intel sessions aimed at fundamentally reshaping Africa’s role in the global mineral economy. The core objective was: ensuring that the global rush for transition minerals, like lithium, cobalt, and copper, serves as a catalyst for African industrialization rather than a repeat of historical extraction patterns.

The "Why" Behind the Sessions Africa's mineral wealth is the backbone of the global green transition, yet the continent's priorities around value addition and industrialization are often sidelined. By revamping the AMV Private Sector Compact, we are creating a cost-effective mode of cooperation that moves beyond the "pit-to-port" model. This is about ensuring our strategically important reserves are leveraged to support the development of our own region through Equitable Resource-Based Industrialization (ERBI).

We initiated the first official engagement to modernize the 2016 Compact, aligning it with ESG metrics and the Africa Green Minerals Strategy (AGMS). Among other things our discussions focused on accelerating the implementation of the AGMS to unlock transformative solutions across the ecosystem. We emphasized the need to track financial flows and investments in strategic minerals to ensure wealth remains within African borders. A central pillar of the new Compact is strengthening companies' social license to operate by embedding mandatory human rights due diligence into the heart of mining operations. We explored how to interface the AGMS with global frameworks like the G20 Critical Minerals Framework and the COP30 Global Climate Action Agenda.

"The green energy transition is a defining moment for Africa’s industrial sovereignty. By revamping the AMV PMiningIndab...
10/02/2026

"The green energy transition is a defining moment for Africa’s industrial sovereignty. By revamping the AMV PMiningIndaba2026mpact, we are moving beyond extraction to a partnership of mutual accountability." — Tunde Arisekola FNMGS, Acting Head of the AMDC.

We are putting these words into action tomorrow at the Investing in African Mining Indaba! Our Industry Intel sessions are designed to move the continent from high-level dialogue to the practicalities of implementation.

Please note a slight schedule update for our second session. Join us at the Serengety Stage (Bluebell/Watsonia):

Session 1 (13:00 – 14:30): Launching the revamp of the AMV Private Sector Compact to foster local industrialization and human rights.

Session 2 (16:15 – 17:15): Updated Time. Dovetailing work on Minerals, Just Transition, and the Africa Green Minerals Strategy (AGMS) to discuss financing and circularity.

We are committed to ensuring that Africa’s mineral wealth drives our own growth and secures a prosperous future for all Africans.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our consortium members for their expertise and dedication:
Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP)
African Future Policies Hub (AFPH)
The African Legal Support Facility (ALSF)
African Natural Resources Management and Investment Centre (ANRC)
AUDA NEPAD
Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR)
Enzi Ijayo Africa Initiative
Global Witness
Judith Neilson Foundation
Oxfam
Southern Transitions
Tax Justice Network Africa
UNDP UNDP Africa
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)
Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation (ZELO)

The Investing in African Mining Indaba 2026 officially kicked off in Cape Tow. We started the week strong, with Mkhululi...
09/02/2026

The Investing in African Mining Indaba 2026 officially kicked off in Cape Tow. We started the week strong, with Mkhululi Ncube, Programs Officer AMDC, steering high-level dialogues between key stakeholders and policymakers, as we align on the continent’s strategic priorities.

But we are just getting started.
Tomorrow marks a major milestone as we move from high-level dialogue to the practicalities of implementation. Our primary focus is delivering on a revamped AMV Private Sector Compact that works for Africa.

📅 Watch Out for Highlights Tomorrow
Join us at the Serengety Stage (Bluebell/Watsonia) for our Industry Intel sessions:

13:00 – 14:30 | Session 1: Shared Vision, Shared Goals. We launch the revamping of the AMV Private Sector Compact to move beyond traditional extraction toward mutual obligations that foster local industrialization and human rights.

14:45 – 16:15 | Session 2: Dovetailing the Body of Work. We dive into the nexus of Minerals, the Just Transition, and the Africa Green Minerals Strategy (AGMS) to discuss the financing and circularity needed to power Africa’s future.

We are committed to ensuring that transition minerals drive our own growth. Stay tuned for live updates and key takeaways throughout the day.

Delivering on a revamped Compact requires a united front. We extend our deepest gratitude to all our partners and consortium members:

Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP)
African Future Policies Hub
African Legal Support Facility (ALSF)
African Natural Resources Management and Investment Centre (ANRC)
AUDA-NEPAD
Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR)
Enzi Ijayo Africa Initiative
Global Witness
Judith Neilson Foundation
Oxfam Recourse
Southern Transitions
Tax Justice Network Africa
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)
Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation (ZELO)

Today at the LEAD Programme, our sessions followed a powerful trajectory, moving from high-level continental strategy to...
04/02/2026

Today at the LEAD Programme, our sessions followed a powerful trajectory, moving from high-level continental strategy to the practical mechanics of resource management.

The day began with Dr. Marit Y. Kitaw, Ph.D., who provided a critical reflection on current policy initiatives in Africa, challenging the cohort to bridge the gap between policy and real-world impact. This set the stage for Theophilus Boadu Adoko, who deepened the discussion by highlighting the leadership successes and hurdles within these frameworks. Building on these strategic foundations, Meque Mecktilder Mchomvu then unpacked the complexities of value creation and capital distribution across the mineral value chain.

The afternoon transitioned into technical implementation, led by Mkhululi N Ncube and Ocitti Bob Felix, who demonstrated the transformative potential of the AMREC-PARC system. Mohamed STEVENS concluded the presentations by illustrating how this comprehensive classification system aligns Africa’s resources with global sustainability standards.

This specific sequence embodies the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) mandate. By linking Dr. Kitaw’s policy reflections with the technical tools like AMREC showcased by the team, the AMDC is ensuring that the next generation of leaders can effectively implement the Africa Mining Vision (AMV) and turn mineral wealth into a sustainable engine for inclusive growth.

Today at the LEAD Programme, Dr.  Kitaw, Former Interim Director of the AMDC, led a reflection on African mining initiat...
04/02/2026

Today at the LEAD Programme, Dr. Kitaw, Former Interim Director of the AMDC, led a reflection on African mining initiatives. Drawing on her expertise, she highlighted the leadership successes and challenges in meeting continental development goals, emphasizing that strong policy must be matched by even stronger implementation.

This session perfectly bridges the gap between theory and the AMDC’s mandate to champion the Africa Mining Vision (AMV). By empowering young leaders to critically evaluate current frameworks, we ensure that mineral wealth drives inclusive growth rather than just extraction. Dr. Kitaw’s insights serve as a powerful call to action for the next generation to lead the sector toward a more equitable and sustainable future.

Today at the LEAD Programme in Cape Town, the energy was high as we walked through the tangible environmental and social...
03/02/2026

Today at the LEAD Programme in Cape Town, the energy was high as we walked through the tangible environmental and social impacts of mining, exploring how shifting continental dynamics are reshaping the industry. The day’s discussions were enriched by Dr. Cledwyn Mangunda, Jennifer Broadhurst, and Prof. Hanri Mostert who set the stage for a practical look at the challenges and legacies of extraction in Southern Africa. The session shone a critical lens on legacy labor and safety issues that continue to influence the sector today

These real-world challenges show the urgent need for the session led by Prof. Richard Calland and Mr. Ncedo Mngqibisa, which focused on the vital shift from shareholder capital to stakeholder capital, emphasizing that every voice—including the "Right to Say No"—is a cornerstone of modern mining.

This training aligns with the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) mandate to champion the Africa Mining Vision (AMV), ensuring that mineral resources drive inclusive growth rather than just extraction.

Through this alignment, the AMDC is actively building the human capacity and strategic partnerships necessary to manage complex value chains and catalyze sustainable development across Africa. As we move forward, these young leaders are being equipped to transform the sector into a transparent, equitable, and sustainable engine for the continent’s future.

Watch out for tomorrows session with Mkhululi N Ncube, Mohamed STEVENS Ocitti Bob Felix, and Theophilus Boadu Adoko

We are thrilled to be at the Leaders in Extractives and African Development (LEAD) Programme in Cape Town, where the nex...
02/02/2026

We are thrilled to be at the Leaders in Extractives and African Development (LEAD) Programme in Cape Town, where the next generation of leaders is preparing to transform Africa’s extractive sector.

Highlights of the week will includes deep dives into critical mining initiatives and resource management, featuring insights from experts on tools like the AMREC-PARC system with Mkhululi N Ncube and Ocitti Bob Felix, who are showcasing how comprehensive resource classification can drive sustainability. Theophilus Boadu Adoko Adoko will share on the challenges of current African initiatives.

By championing the Africa Mining Vision (AMV), the AMDC ensures that mineral wealth isn’t just about extraction, but about catalyzing inclusive growth and sustainable development across the continent. Through the LEAD programme, we are actively building the human capacity and strategic partnerships needed to manage complex value chains and ensure that every voice—from artisanal miners to policy makers is heard in the global conversation.

We are proud to announce the official launch of the South Africa African Minerals Governance Framework (AMGF) Assessment...
29/01/2026

We are proud to announce the official launch of the South Africa African Minerals Governance Framework (AMGF) Assessment Report.

Produced in partnership with Expertise France and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, this report is a roadmap. It benchmarks South Africa’s mining sector against the Africa Mining Vision (AMV), offering critical data to drive sustainable reform.

The report provides a deep-dive analysis across six strategic pillars: 🔹 Legal & Institutional Frameworks: Licensing and contracting efficiency. 🔹 Geological Information: Systems for managing mineral data. 🔹 Fiscal Regimes: Revenue management and taxation. 🔹 Linkages & Diversification: Leveraging mining for broader economic growth. 🔹 Artisanal & Small-Scale Mining (ASM): Strategies for formalization and support. 🔹 Environmental & Social Governance: Balancing profit with people and planet.

This document now serves as a foundational tool for policymakers, investors, and civil society to build a more transparent, inclusive, and competitive mining sector.

 : A  Q&A and panel discussion on South Africa's mining governance architecture.A mix of the assessment team, and variou...
29/01/2026

: A Q&A and panel discussion on South Africa's mining governance architecture.

A mix of the assessment team, and various stakeholders dove deep into the findings across six critical pillars that form the backbone of a sustainable mining sector:

Legal and Institutional Frameworks: Examining the efficiency of mining contracting and licensing.

Geological Information: Assessing the availability and accessibility of mineral data.

Fiscal Regimes: Reviewing revenue management and taxation structures.

Linkages and Diversification: Exploring how mining drives wider economic investment.

Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM): Addressing the formalization and support of this vital sector.

Environmental and Social Issues: Ensuring mining benefits communities while protecting nature.

Stakeholders from government, the private sector, and civil society discussed the findings on the country and how they affect every sector of the industry.

A special thank you to our partners at Expertise France and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources for making this dialogue possible.

Address

African Union Headquarters, P. O Box, 3243, Roosvelt Street, ( Old Airport Area) W21K19 Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa

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