President Mahama Urges African Countries to Translate Agenda 2063 and AfCFTA into Mining Investments
President John Dramani Mahama has called on African countries to translate continental development frameworks into coordinated investments, regional infrastructure and larger markets for mineral-processing industries.
He said Agenda 2063, the African Mining Vision and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) provided a foundation for cooperation but that governments needed to move beyond declarations and implement practical measures that would increase the value Africa derived from its mineral resources.
Addressing the opening of the 2026 Mining in Motion Summit in Accra, President Mahama said Ghana’s efforts to expand domestic mineral processing would achieve greater results if linked to the policies and industrial development plans of neighbouring countries.
“Agenda 2063, the African Mining Vision, and the African Continental Free Trade Area provide the foundations for that cooperation. We must translate these frameworks into coordinated investments, regional infrastructure and larger markets for African producers,” he said.
The President said Africa was increasingly being looked to as a source of the minerals needed for the next industrial revolution, including those required for cleaner energy technologies and the expanding artificial intelligence economy.
He challenged African governments to ensure that the continent’s resources also supported its own industrial transformation.
“At this point, the world is looking to Africa for many of the minerals that will power its next industrial revolution. But the question we must ask is this: Will those same minerals power Africa’s next industrial revolution?” he said.
President Mahama said African countries needed to strengthen their ability to process minerals locally and develop manufacturing industries capable of supplying goods to domestic and continental markets.
He identified opportunities for African copper to supply cable manufacturers, aluminium to support power systems and steel to serve construction, transport and mining industries.
He said mineral processing could also support the production of electric vehicle batteries, electric cables, transformers, finished aluminium components and rare-earth magnets.
The President called for regional processing arrangements that would ensure minerals were transformed into products that could support industrial development and create jobs within Africa.
He said cooperation among countries was also necessary to improve the continent’s negotiating position with mining investors and prevent competition between governments from weakening the benefits secured from mineral resources.
President Mahama recounted an experience involving a West African counterpart who had faced pressure from a mining company seeking a 10 per cent royalty rate while citing Ghana’s 30 per cent royalty arrangements as a reason to move its investment.
He said the experience showed why African governments needed to share information and expertise when negotiating mineral agreements.
The President also called for practical steps to improve intra-African trade, including implementing tariff commitments, addressing non-tariff barriers, simplifying customs procedures and improving transport and payment systems.
“Implementing tariff commitments, addressing non-tariff barriers, simplifying customs procedures, and improving transport and payment systems will help businesses source African inputs and reach African customers,” he said.
President Mahama said stronger regional markets would make it easier for African manufacturers to obtain raw materials and sell finished products across national borders.
He also called on member states that had not ratified the statutes of the African Minerals Development Centre and deposited their instruments with the African Union to do so as soon as possible.
He said the centre could help African countries share geological knowledge, strengthen negotiating capacity and develop regional mineral value chains.
“As Ghana prepares to assume the chairmanship of the African Union in 2027, we will carry the strength of the Accra Reset into this collective effort,” he said.
President Mahama said Ghana would support a common African approach that accommodates the circumstances and industrial needs of individual countries while promoting cooperation on responsible mining, fair taxation and local participation.
He stressed that Africa remained open to foreign investment but said partnerships should contribute to the development of competitive industries, transfer technology and create opportunities for indigenous enterprises.
The President said the success of continental cooperation should be measured by the establishment of operating facilities, the expansion of local supply chains and the creation of skilled jobs for young Africans.
Richard Aniagyei, ISD
