In a transformed minerals environment, attracting global investors requires smooth, coherent policy. If African countries are to craft such a policy, collective action and collaboration are fundamental. Africa and its leaders, must come together to craft a shared vision, write Zeinab El-Sayed and Laura Nicholson

The steady global mining upswing — driven by energy-transition metals such as copper, cobalt, PGMs and gold – has Africa once more on investor radar. However, to convert that interest into prosperity for African people, the continent must present a united front to the world. 

Investors embrace certainty. They want coherent market environments that are easy to understand and navigate, with streamlined policy and regulation. To achieve this, it is more critical than ever for mineral-rich regions to function as integrated economies, with complementary policies and frameworks. 

According to an International Energy Agency 2024 report, spending across critical minerals supply chains is rising, with double digit growth in mining and exploration. The benefits of market expansion are shared across different regions, with Africa expected to see a 65% increase in market value by 2030. Between 2017 and 2022, world markets saw lithium demand triple, while there was a 70% increase in cobalt demand, and a 40% rise in nickel demand. All of these minerals are present in several African jurisdictions. 

In terms of gold – a rich African endowment – the precious metal is more than a store of value. It also has a role in the green-energy transition, as well as the technology boom. A recent World Gold Council report revealed that gold demand soared $146bn in Q3 2025 – the largest demand surge on record. 

This could be Africa’s opening to convert mineral assets into much-needed jobs, infrastructure and industrial capability. However, achieving this means developing a uniform, consistent set of protocols that will inform policy across the region. When competing against large sovereign nations, regional integration is critical.

A lot has been done towards achieving this – notably in the early 2000s with the African Mining Partnership and the SADC Framework. These helped inform the African Union’s Africa Mining Vision, for “transparent, equitable and optimal exploitation of mineral resources to underpin broad-based sustainable growth and socio-economic development”. 

Closing the confidence gap

Momentum is building, but uneven rollout has meant investors still navigate differing rules, timelines and expectations. This confirms that there is a lot more to be done to seize the demand opportunity. The African continent must act on a longstanding call to harmonise policy to boost confidence and crowd in long-term capital.

The policy confidence gap is real and well documented. In last year’s Fraser Institute Annual Survey of Mining Companies, seven of the bottom 10 jurisdictions in the institute’s Policy Perception Index were African countries. The highest-ranked African country was Botswana in 14th place of 82 territories. 

Among investors concerns are permitting timelines, disclosure standards, and cross‑border logistics. The big question is, with the demand cycle now upon us, can Africa allay these concerns through clear, consistent policy, and convert vision into binding, investable practice? 

A core concern that often hampers progress is the perception that harmonisation entails a loss of sovereignty. In reality, harmonisation aligns rules, creating value while leaving each country firmly in control of its resources, fiscal choices and development priorities.

“Regional cooperation is not about surrendering sovereignty; it is about creating an investment environment that unlocks billions in capital and thousands of local jobs,” says Zeinab El-Sayed, Head of Government Partnerships, Mining Indaba. “MI26 will push that agenda from policy to practice.”

Authentic engagement

Building that harmony requires frank, regular engagement. A cornerstone platform for African mining policy alignment and partnership has been the Intergovernmental Summit (IGS) and Ministerial Symposium at the Investing In African Mining Indaba.

This year’s symposium drew 22 mining ministers, 32 mineral-rich nations and 25 CEOs from global and African mining companies. All  were there to discuss strategies to position Africa as a global mining powerhouse.

The IGS and the Ministerial Symposium have become known for translating talk into concrete action. In 2025, tangible agreements were made to simplify permitting and accelerate value-chain development. Commitments were also made to shift Africa’s mining model towards local processing, to create jobs and industry opportunities. 

Free-trade opportunities

These platforms also provide space for policymakers to come up with practical opportunities of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement, and how it can find expression through regional beneficiation partnerships. Moving beyond the traditional extraction relationships is how the continent truly becomes stronger together.   

“Our strength lies in building partnerships that recognise the mutual value of investment. Progress is most meaningful when it lifts all stakeholders.” — Hon. Gwede Mantashe, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Republic of South Africa

This minerals boom will surely ebb in time, but confidence compounds. A new cycle may emerge, driven by demand for new minerals. Inevitably, there will be development opportunities for those minerals on the African continent.

The opportunities will be when investors perceive the African policy environment as one that is easy to navigate. To create that confidence, African leaders must seize the opportunities to collaborate on policy development – and to be seen to collaborate.

Acting now to harmonise policy can turn a cyclical opportunity into durable industrial capability, anchoring investment, creating skilled jobs and positioning Africa as an indispensable partner in the global energy transition. The call has been on the table for a while now. It is time to answer it.