By:
Kanto Kai Okanta
The
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has called on stakeholders
to accelerate the implementation of a newly launched regional sustainable
mining project aimed at promoting environmentally responsible, inclusive, and
decarbonised value chains for energy transition minerals across Southern
Africa.
Speaking
at a consortium meeting of project stakeholders, Jean-Luc Mastaki, ECA Director
for Central Africa, emphasized the need to move beyond consultations and
translate planning efforts into measurable outcomes that deliver tangible
benefits for participating countries and communities.
Mastaki
said the project's preparatory phase had established a strong foundation
through extensive consultations with governments, communities, industry
players, and development partners across the six participating countries. He
noted that the initiative had been aligned with national development priorities
and regional integration ambitions, creating a framework for effective
implementation.
The
project, supported by Germany’s International Climate Initiative (IKI) and led
by the ECA alongside consortium partners, will be implemented in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
As
global demand for critical minerals continues to rise, the initiative seeks to
ensure that Africa derives greater value from its mineral resources through
local processing, beneficiation, industrial development, and the creation of
sustainable and inclusive value chains linked to the global energy transition.
Mastaki
observed that Africa has historically captured only a limited share of the
value generated from its mineral wealth, with much of the economic benefit
accruing elsewhere. He said the growing demand for energy transition minerals
presents a strategic opportunity for the region to advance value addition,
strengthen industrial capabilities, promote technological development, and
build competitive regional mineral value chains.
The
initiative is expected to support sustainable industrialisation, job creation,
climate resilience, and broader economic transformation across Southern Africa
while ensuring that mining activities contribute to environmental
sustainability and inclusive growth.
