Speaking during the launch, Patrick Mulindwa Lubega, Chief of Staff at AMSG, underscored the importance of collaboration in strengthening Africa’s negotiating position with international investors, expanding local participation and translating mineral wealth into socioeconomic development.

“This is the first time that African national mining companies are seated together. Previously, companies have been working in isolation, but this has to change through this forum,” he said.

He noted that national mining companies operate at different levels of maturity and have varying institutional structures, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, infrastructure sharing and stronger negotiating capacity when engaging global mining investors.

Lubega emphasized that national mining companies are not intended to replace international mining companies or private capital, but to complement their role by addressing critical gaps in local participation, artisanal and small-scale mining formalization and domestic value addition.

“It marks a new beginning for Africa that would deliver the new vision of African mining: beneficiation, jobs and national mining companies working in partnership,” he said.

African Mining Companies Outline National Priorities

The launch featured a dialogue with Reda Mohamed Selim, Chairman and Managing Director of Egypt’s WADICO; Leonard Kalindekafe, CEO of Malawi Mining Investment Company (MAMICO); Khalifa Al Dursi, Mining Specialist at Libya’s National Mining Corporation; and Frank Mwamba, Chargé de Mission for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Representatives outlined how their respective countries are seeking to strengthen geological data, improve investment conditions and develop domestic processing capacity.

Egypt Advances Geological Mapping and Downstream Processing

Selim highlighted Egypt’s focus on moving beyond raw mineral exports towards industrialization through downstream processing and improved geological intelligence.

“We are focusing on downstream, and our vision is transformation from the export of raw materials to industrialization,” he said.

He explained that Egypt is implementing a program to consolidate historical geological data and apply modern technologies to map mineral resources, with drilling to follow as the next stage of exploration.

Egypt has significant phosphate resources that support fertilizer production, while the country is also pursuing greater domestic processing and the development of a gold refinery.

Malawi Focuses on De-Risking Mining Investment

Kalindekafe outlined how MAMICO is working to make mining projects more attractive to international partners by improving access to geological information, streamlining licensing data and strengthening project preparation.

“We are creating a development where, as soon as they start, they should start making money and not losing money. We are looking at how we can speed up projects and de-risk them as much as possible,” he said.

He added that geological information is collected and analyzed alongside joint-venture partners, helping improve project evaluation and reduce the cost and complexity of investment.

By strengthening early-stage project preparation, MAMICO aims to help partners make more informed investment decisions and accelerate the development of commercially viable mining projects.

Libya Seeks to Apply Oil and Gas Expertise to Mining

Al Dursi highlighted Libya’s ambition to diversify its economy beyond petroleum by developing its mineral resources and establishing an investment-friendly mining regime.

“We want to diversify our sources of revenue beyond oil, and we are starting from scratch, from mapping in the field to understanding what we have,” he said.

Drawing on Libya’s experience in the petroleum sector, he said the country could apply established approaches to joint ventures and other investment models to attract mining partners.

He also emphasized the importance of transparent licensing processes, clear bidding rules and predictable investment conditions in building investor confidence.

DRC Highlights Mineral Potential and Regulatory Openness

Mwamba pointed to the DRC’s extensive mineral resources, regulatory framework and community participation as important factors in attracting investment.

“The first thing is our mineral deposits, and the second thing is regulatory openness, which can protect investors. The policy is clear. The third thing is that the community becomes part of the project,” he said.