African Ministers Call for Larger Share of Cake at OECD Mineral Forum 2025
The OECD organized the Responsible Minerals Supply Chains Forum in Paris from 5 to 7 May 2025. The event took place in hybrid mode, allowing participants both onsite or online. Ministers of Mines and CEO of mining companies from several countries attended the Forum.
The program of the Forum was split into three major themes over three days. The first day focused on policies for mineral development, the second day was on mineral trading and the third day was on artisanal or small-scale mining. focused on Africa’s role in the global #EnergyTransition. One of the focal points of th Forum explored Africa’s role in the #EnergyTransition around the world.
During the high-level Africa panel, the Minister of Solida Minerals Development of Nigeria, Henry Alaka, the Deputy Minister Mines of Democratic Republic of Congo Godard Gibolum, the Minister of Natural Resources of Ghana Emmanuel Buah, the Minister of Energy Transition of Morocco Leila Benali shared their perspective on how the mining sector with the #LobitoCorridor as a case study.
Minister Alake shared that Nigeria generated nearly NGN 7 billion ($4..4 million) in mining licensing revenues during 1Q25 alone. Nigeria has thus issued more than 1,200 artisanal mining cooperatives licenses and approved hundreds others while keeping in sight sustainability and local value addition (#LVA). As such Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) form an integral part of the mining industry in Africa and more efforts are needed to integrate ASM into formal supply chains and ethical sourcing.
“As Chair of the Africa Mineral Strategy Group, I’m proud to work with leaders across the continent to unlock inclusive, long-term growth from our rich mineral resources. It’s time for Africa to move from exporting raw materials to owning the future of clean energy. Our focus is clear: unlocking inclusive growth from Africa’s vast mineral wealth!”
Nigerian Minister of Solid Minerals Development Henry Alake
Ghana’s Minter of Natural Resources Emmanuel Buah led a delegation to Paris to share his country’s vision and policies on mineral development. In the case of Ghana, one of the main goals is to develop from its traditional gold mining into other minerals such as graphite, lithium, manganese, in order to take advantage of the trend toward #EnergyTransition. Ghana has enacted the Minerals and Mining Local Content and Local Participation Regulations since 2020 to bring more benefits to local community.
In the case of DRC, significant progress has been achieved to resolve the so-called Blood Minerals as the Declaration of Principles was jointly issued with Rwanda in April 2025. Hopefully, the next step will lead to a lasting peace which will bring about stability and prosperity in the mineral-rich region of eastern DRC.
Morocco is planning to become a hub for the manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (#EV) which require many #CriticalMinerals available in abundance in Africa. China is setting up lithium battery plants and vehicle assembly facilities in Morocco in order to produce cars aimed primarily at the EU market.
South African Ambassador Xolisa Mbhongo took part in the Forum in his capacity of Sous-Sherpa of the #G20 Summit which is scheduled to be held in South Africa in November 2025. The G20 also has set up an Energy Sustainability Work Group (ESWG) since 2013 and this year, it is expected that South Africa will continue pushing for a Just Energy Transition (#JET).