Hugo Pienaar

Chief Economist Minerals Council South Africa

Hugo has more than 20 years’ experience as a macro economist. Before that, he was as an economics reporter at Die Burger newspaper in Cape Town. After leaving the media industry and helping to establish a newly formed economic consultancy firm, Hugo spent 17 years at the Bureau for Economic Research, the last five as chief economist. He was the Thomson Reuters South African Economist of the Year in 2014 and the Media24 Economist of the Year in 2021.

In his current role, Hugo leads the economics department at the Minerals Council. He focuses on collecting and analysing data on commodity markets and the South African mining sector, as well as advocating for a more conduce domestic mining policy environment.

Hugo holds a Master’s of Economics degree (cum laude), Stellenbosch University.

2025 Agenda Sessions

Evolving African policy and value - developing a mutually beneficial mineral blueprint

With greater restrictions being placed on exports of raw minerals across the continent, how has the current approach to local value addition failed?
Why are producers increasingly leveraging their minerals towards securing greater local content and participation in domestic mining activities from foreign players?
Looking at the long-standing regional development protocols, how can partners support sustainable investments into local mining sectors whilst also promoting transparent & equitable policy?

Monday 03 February 15:45 - 16:30 CTICC2

Intergovernmental Summit

Add to calendar 02/03/2025 15:45 02/03/2025 16:30 Evolving African policy and value - developing a mutually beneficial mineral blueprint

With greater restrictions being placed on exports of raw minerals across the continent, how has the current approach to local value addition failed?
Why are producers increasingly leveraging their minerals towards securing greater local content and participation in domestic mining activities from foreign players?
Looking at the long-standing regional development protocols, how can partners support sustainable investments into local mining sectors whilst also promoting transparent & equitable policy?

CTICC2 Africa/Johannesburg

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