Africa’s mineral-rich countries are increasingly overhauling their mining policies in order to attract long-term investment, increase regional value addition, and strengthen skills and local content development. As energy transition technologies, infrastructure construction, and urbanization continue to increase global demand for critical industrial minerals, these policy shifts are expected to support GDP growth, enable infrastructure development, and generate competitive returns for investors from 2026 onwards.
Importantly, this reform signals a broader strategic shift away from exporting raw materials to a benefit-driven growth model that retains more value at home. By aligning regulatory frameworks with industrialization goals, African governments aim to create integrated mining ecosystems that support downstream processing, manufacturing and job creation, while remaining competitive in global markets.
These developments will be in focus at Africa Mining Week (AMW), Africa’s flagship gathering for African mining stakeholders, scheduled for 14-16 October 2026 in Cape Town, where policymakers, investors and operators will assess how evolving regulations are reshaping Africa’s position as the world’s mining investment hub.
South Africa: Mineral Resources Development Bill
South Africa is finalizing its Mineral Resources Development (MRD) Bill, with the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources confirming that public consultation is nearing completion in October 2025. The bill aims to provide regulatory certainty and stimulate investment across key commodities, particularly platinum group metals (PGMs), of which South Africa has the world’s largest reserves.
Beyond PGMs, the bill supports the national agenda to increase production of chromium, gold and coal, strengthening the role of mining as a pillar of economic growth and industrial supply chains. If implemented effectively, this reform could help address long-standing investor concerns about policy clarity, which is an essential element in maintaining capital flow to mature but strategically important mining jurisdictions, while also opening up possibilities for brownfield expansion and new projects.
Senegal: mining law reform
In Senegal, the government is accelerating reform of mining laws to balance investment attractiveness with local benefits and strengthening governance standards. Proposed changes include introducing production sharing mechanisms in mining contracts, strengthening environmental and social protection measures, and placing greater emphasis on community development. With mining accounting for a large proportion of the extractive sector’s revenues, the revised law is expected to increase state revenues while improving transparency and local economic participation. For investors, Senegal’s approach reflects growth trends across West Africa, combining a stable fiscal framework with clearer expectations for social impact and value retention.
Zambia: Local content regulation
Zambia is preparing to enact local content regulations by the end of 2025 or early 2026 as part of a broader effort to increase domestic participation in the mining value chain. This policy is in line with the country’s ambition to increase copper production to 3 million tonnes per year by 2031 and position Zambia as a regional hub for copper processing and supply.
The regulations will complement recent legislation such as the Geological and Mineral Development Act, which promotes national mineral mapping and formalizes small-scale mining operations. Together, these measures aim to strengthen supply chains, build technical skills and reduce import dependence. This is an important step in turning higher production targets into broader economic benefits.
Ghana: Amendment of Minerals and Mining Law
Ghana amended its Minerals and Mining Act 2006 to introduce a medium-scale mining permit category. This is a move aimed at bridging the gap between artisanal and large-scale operations. The reforms are expected to improve access to financing, strengthen regulatory oversight, and encourage more sustainable mining practices.
The importance of this change is underlined by the contribution of small-scale miners, who account for approximately 40% of Ghana’s gold production and generated $4 billion in export revenue between February and May 2025 alone. By formalizing and expanding this sector, Ghana aims to capture greater fiscal revenues while supporting inclusive growth across the mining community.
Against this backdrop, AMW 2026 provides a timely platform for stakeholders to engage with policymakers, assess regulatory changes and identify investment opportunities in line with Africa’s benefits and development agenda, ensuring that mining continues to act as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth across the continent.
