Good governance key to unlocking Africa’s minerals wealth – Stakeholders

Speaking at the close of a three-day conference of the High-Level Conference on Governance, Critical Minerals and Conflict in Africa, Mr Tem Fuh Mbuh, Programme Manager, Transformation, Open Society Foundation, in a call to action said strong institutions and accountable leadership were essential to translate the resources into sustainable development He identified transparent institutions, the rule of law, citizen participation and accountability as critical requirements for ensuring that mineral wealth promoted peace, economic transformation and shared prosperity across the continent.

He advocated the establishment of national and Pan-African Sovereign Wealth Funds to invest mineral revenues in human capital, environmental restoration, technology transfer and community development while strengthening citizen participation and enforcement of mining laws.

Stakeholders in governance and extractive value chain believe that Africa’s critical minerals future depends more on good governance than the abundance of mineral resources.