Clearer rules, stronger state participation and a deliberate push to process minerals at home, the reform agenda reshaping Africa’s mining sector is gaining momentum and the capital flows are beginning to follow.
Liberia is among the most active movers, preparing to introduce a new Mining Code within the next three months. The legislation will create a National Mining Company to increase state participation in major projects and sharpen the country’s negotiating position with investors. Significantly, nearly 80% of Liberia remains geologically unexplored, leaving substantial opportunity across minerals as well as oil and gas.
“Liberia’s geology is exceptionally rich. We are seeking geomapping and exploration partners. Access to geoscientific data will allow us to negotiate stronger investment deals and develop downstream infrastructure” said Matenokay Tingban, Minister of Mines and Energy. Iron ore currently dominates Liberian output, with production targeting 30 million tonnes per year by 2026 but the new framework is designed to encourage diversification and facilitate partnerships for downstream processing.
Namibia is finalising a new Minerals Bill to replace its 2002 legislation, with reforms explicitly aimed at local beneficiation, inclusive participation and investment competitiveness. The country’s Mining Commissioner Isabella Chirchir says the overhaul seeks “to attract capital to diversify production beyond diamonds and uranium toward strategic metals such as lithium and rare earths.”
In Central Africa, the Republic of Congo approved a draft mining code in November 2025 introducing competitive bidding, formal permitting for artisanal miners and support for in-country processing, measures designed to improve transparency and strengthen the domestic value chain. Ivory Coast is revising its code to cover a wider range of minerals including chromium, coltan, lithium, copper, cobalt and iron ore, building on its existing base of 19 operating mines.
Meanwhile, Somalia is overhauling its mining regulations to unlock frontier resources including uranium, lithium, cobalt, gold and diamonds. The results in countries that moved earlier are instructive. Mali, which introduced a new Mining Code in 2023, remains Africa’s second-largest gold producer whilst advancing lithium projects and a new gold refinery in partnership with Barrick and B2Gold. Burkina Faso, which adopted a revised code in 2024, saw gold production jump from roughly 57–60 tonnes to 94 tonnes in 2025, a result that has reinforced investor confidence and cemented its position as Africa’s fourth-largest gold producer.
The African Mining Week 2026, scheduled for 14–16 October in Cape Town, South Africa will bring together policymakers, industry leaders and global investors to examine these regulatory shifts and the opportunities they are unlocking. The event will explore how modernised frameworks are converting legal certainty into tangible investment potential, from exploration through to downstream processing.
