African leaders convened in Accra for the Mining in Motion summit, calling for a unified approach to mineral resource governance. The event, held from October 19 to 21, 2026, brought together officials from Tanzania, Nigeria, and Liberia to discuss strategies for industrializing the continent's mining sector. The central theme emphasized moving from vision to delivery in implementing the African Mining Vision.
President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, who opened the conference, argued that Africa must transition from exporting raw ores to producing finished and semi-finished goods. He noted that Ghana is pursuing a phased prohibition on the export of unprocessed ores, targeting a goal by 2030 where raw mineral ores no longer leave the country. Mahama highlighted initiatives such as the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation to link bauxite to aluminium refining and manufacturing. He stated that African mineral ores should eventually leave ports as value-added products like electric vehicle batteries and finished aluminium parts.
Tanzania’s Minister for Minerals, Anthony Peter Mavunde, urged African nations to abandon isolated approaches and pool their efforts. He noted that the continent possesses over 32 per cent of global known critical mineral deposits, yet much of this wealth is exported without sufficient value addition. Mavunde pointed to Tanzania’s legal reforms introduced in 2017, which have improved mineral oversight and boosted state involvement. He added that the country now operates more than eight gold refineries and over 16 base metal processing plants.
Francisca Tatchouop Belobe, the African Union Commissioner for Economic Development, described the continent’s situation as a paradox, noting that Africa holds nearly 30 per cent of global critical mineral reserves but retains only a small share of the generated value. She called for better execution of continental frameworks, including the African Continental Free Trade Area, to support regional value chains. Meanwhile, Ghana’s Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, addressed Chinese investors in Shanghai, urging them to invest in local processing of commodities like cocoa and timber to create sustainable employment opportunities.