Policy Statement : African Mining Sovereignty
Policy Statement : African Mining Sovereignty
By Solomon Ngoma (PhD student), Executive Director – AIPAC
PREAMBLE
The Acton Institute for Policy Analysis Centre (AIPAC) aligns with the vision articulated by His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema, emphasizing that Africa must construct growth-oriented recovery programs. In addition, AIPAC asserts that Africa must fully own its mining value chains end-to-end, ensuring that the continent reaps the maximum benefits of its natural resources.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
ECONOMIC SOVEREIGNTY : Africa must retain control over its mineral wealth, ensuring that extraction, processing, and commercialization are managed within the continent.
VALUE ADDITION : Raw materials should no longer be exported without beneficiation. Africa must invest in refining, smelting, and manufacturing industries to capture the full economic value.
Policy Statement : African Mining Sovereignty: Mining value chains must generate employment, skills development, and entrepreneurship opportunities for African citizens.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT : Resource exploitation must be balanced with environmental stewardship and community welfare.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT : Expand energy, transport, and industrial capacity to support downstream mining activities.
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER : Secure partnerships that prioritize African ownership of intellectual property and industrial know-how.
POLICY HARMONIZATION : Align mining laws, taxation regimes, and trade policies across African states to foster regional integration.
CAPITAL MOBILISATION : Establish sovereign wealth funds and regional investment vehicles to finance mining value chain projects.
MARKET POSITIONING : Transition Africa from a supplier of raw commodities to a global hub for finished products such as batteries, electronics, and renewable energy technologies.
IMPLEMENTATION FRAMEWORK
NATIONAL ACTION PLANS : Each African state should develop tailored strategies to localize mining value chains.
REGIONAL COOPERATION : Leverage continental platforms such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to integrate mining industries.
PUBLIC -PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS : Encourage collaboration between governments, local enterprises, and responsible international investors.
MONITORING & ACCOUNTABILITY : Establish transparent mechanisms to track progress and ensure equitable distribution of benefits.
Conclusion
Africa’s mineral wealth must serve as the foundation for industrialization, innovation, and prosperity. By owning 100% of its mining value chains, Africa will secure economic sovereignty, create sustainable jobs, and redefine its role in the global economy. This is not merely a policy choice it is a continental imperative.
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