On the sidelines of the 2026 Egypt Mining Forum, Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Wealth, Karim Badawi, launched the African Mining Regulatory Authorities Forum (AFMRA). This continental platform aims to foster cooperation and exchange of expertise among national institutions responsible for regulating the mining sector in African countries. The forum seeks to support the development of regulatory and legislative frameworks, enhance the efficiency of mineral resource management, and boost the continent's ability to attract investments and create added value from its natural resources.
The launch event was attended by Moses Michel Engado, Secretary-General of the African Mineral Strategy Group (AMSG), and Geologist Yasser Ramadan, head of the Egyptian Mineral Wealth and Mining Industries Authority. Several heads of mining authorities, regulatory bodies, and officials from various African countries also participated. Minister Badawi emphasized that the AFMRA forum represents a significant step towards building more integrated African cooperation in mining regulation. This will be achieved through a sustainable mechanism for exchanging experiences, best practices, and discussing ways to develop mining legislation and policies.
The forum aims to gradually achieve greater compatibility and flexibility in regulatory and operational frameworks. This will balance the preservation of African countries' sovereignty over their natural resources with facilitating investment and cooperation. It will also enhance commercial and economic integration among continent nations. Minister Badawi highlighted that cooperation among African regulatory institutions is no longer optional but a necessity. This is crucial for improving mineral resource management and maximizing economic returns, especially given the continent's diverse mineral wealth and growing global demand for minerals.
The development of Africa's mining sector requires modern and effective regulatory institutions. These institutions should manage geological data, develop mining records, improve licensing systems, and achieve the highest levels of transparency and governance. This will help transform mineral resources from raw materials into added economic value, investment opportunities, and sustainable development. Egypt prioritizes supporting African cooperation and exchanging mining expertise. The launch of the AFMRA forum in Cairo reflects Egypt's commitment to supporting African efforts to develop the investment environment in mining and enhance cooperation among regulatory institutions.
Geologist Yasser Ramadan, head of the Egyptian Mineral Wealth and Mining Industries Authority, stated that the AFMRA forum represents a continental framework for cooperation among African regulatory bodies. This platform allows for exchanging field experiences, best practices, and enhancing technical and institutional capacities. The goal is to gradually increase compatibility and integration among mining regulations in African countries while respecting national specificities and sovereignty. The forum's sessions emphasized the importance of developing Africa's mining regulation framework. This will support the transition from exporting raw materials to increasing processing and manufacturing within the continent.
Participants highlighted the need for a permanent continental technical mechanism under the AFMRA umbrella. This mechanism will support continuous coordination, expertise exchange, and cooperation among African regulatory institutions. It will also promote the highest standards of transparency and governance in mining transactions, including addressing challenges related to financial transactions and money transfers. The importance of gradually developing African mechanisms to track mineral sources, movement, and supply chains was also emphasized. This will enhance transparency and reliability in global markets while fully preserving African countries' national sovereignty.
The AFMRA forum provides a practical framework for cooperation in priority areas, including governance and management of geological data, development of mining records, facilitation of licensing procedures, and exchange of technical expertise. The forum's launch from Cairo demonstrates Egypt's commitment to supporting African cooperation in mining regulation and expertise exchange. This initiative is expected to contribute to the continent's economic growth and development by maximizing the benefits from its mineral resources.
Key points
- Egypt launches AFMRA forum to enhance mining regulation and cooperation across Africa
- The forum aims to support the development of regulatory frameworks and exchange of expertise among African countries
- The initiative seeks to boost the continent's ability to attract investments and create added value from its natural resources
