The 32nd Investing in African Mining Indaba kicked off at the Cape Town ICC with a powerful sense of urgency and a clear mandate: Africa must stop being a spectator in the management of its own natural wealth. It was a well-rounded opening ceremony that set a sophisticated tone for the days ahead, moving beyond simple extraction talk toward a future defined by industrialization and strategic sovereignty.
A Strategic Imperative: Stronger Together
The theme for this year, “Stronger Together: Progress Through Partnerships,” isn’t just a catchy phrase—it’s a survival strategy. As Minister Gwede Mantashe noted in his opening remarks, we are living through a period of intense global competition where developed economies are vying for control over African resources.
To counter this, the message from the leadership was clear:
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Uniform Frameworks: Africa needs a unified regulatory approach to prevent investors from playing one country against another.
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Defining Our Own Value: We must stop letting external powers define what “critical minerals” are and instead assess the impact these resources have on our own continental development.
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Science & Tech: There is a pressing need to invest in local science and technology to drive the move toward industrialization.
Financing the Future: Insights from the AFC
One of the highlights was the discussion between Samaila Zubairu (President and CEO of the Africa Finance Corporation) and Bloomberg’s Jennifer Zabasajja. The dialogue centered on the launch of the Annual Compendium of Strategic Minerals, focusing on aligning infrastructure with resource development.
A key takeaway was the call for resource nationalism in a positive sense. With global tensions rising between the East and West, the advice to African nations was simple: Choose yourself.
Limit Raw Exports: We need to pivot from exporting raw minerals to ensuring that at least 50% of value is added on-site.
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Job Creation: By processing minerals locally, we focus on creating jobs and securing our own supply chains rather than being at the mercy of global shifts.
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The Lobito Corridor: This project serves as a prime example of how infrastructure can meet the massive demand for steel and other minerals to build the continent’s future.
South Africa’s Progress: Delivering on Promises
Minister Mantashe shared several significant milestones achieved since the last Indaba, signaling that the region is open for business but on more equitable terms.
Key Achievements Mentioned:
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Virtual Core Library: Launched by the Council for Geoscience (CGS), this digital platform transforms how geological data is accessed.
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Licensing Milestones: Between February 2025 and January 2026, the department granted 358 prospecting rights and 32 mining rights.
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Exploration Boost: To stimulate the high-risk prospecting phase, the requirement for BEE participation at the prospecting stage has been removed to attract more global investment into the pipeline of future mines.
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Safety Records: The industry achieved its lowest fatalities on record, with 41 lives lost in 2025 compared to 42 in 2024—a grim reminder that the journey toward “Zero-Harm” continues.
Final Thoughts
The opening ceremony made it clear that the “Green Mineral” rush of 2026 cannot mirror the mineral revolutions of the past. From the Junior Mining Exploration Fund supporting rare earth projects in the Free State to the push for women-operated teams at the top of the industry, the focus is now on inclusive, data-driven growth.
As we navigate the sessions this week, the goal remains: ensure Africa captures the true value of its endowment.