Egypt is working to develop integrated value chains across its mining sector, linking mineral extraction with processing, refining, and mineral-based manufacturing. This initiative is part of the country's efforts to increase the added value of its natural resources and support industrial growth. Minister of Industry Khaled Hashem stated that Egypt has taken several steps in recent years to advance mining and mineral-based industries.
The Egyptian government has launched a national industrial strategy that identifies key minerals as strategic industries. The strategy aims to assess minerals extracted in Egypt to determine their suitability for local manufacturing and improve mineral processing value chains. This approach will enable the country to transform its minerals into raw materials that can support the industrial sector.
The government is currently working to align mining and industrial policies to create integrated value chains connecting extraction, processing, refining, and mineral-based manufacturing. This approach is expected to help utilize mineral resources to support higher-value-added industries, strengthen local and regional supply chains, reduce reliance on imported inputs, and create new export opportunities.
Phosphate is one of the key minerals targeted for greater local processing. Egypt has taken steps to limit exports of raw phosphate while prioritizing higher-value-added downstream industries, particularly phosphoric acid and phosphate fertilizer production. This move is expected to maximize the value derived from Egypt's mineral resources.
Manganese ore is another key mineral that Egypt aims to process locally. The country has cooperated with two companies to process manganese ore locally, with the aim of producing higher-concentration material, increasing exports, creating jobs, and deepening domestic supply chains. This initiative is expected to reduce reliance on imported refractory materials and silicon-manganese alloys.
Egypt is also promoting cooperation with Africa in the mining sector. Minister Hashem stated that intra-African trade stands at around $220bn, describing the figure as modest relative to the continent's 54 countries, natural resources, production capabilities, domestic demand, and imports from global markets. Egypt is scheduled to host the Africa El Alamein Forum next month, which will focus on promoting greater integration among African countries in the mining sector.
The Africa El Alamein Forum will highlight the need for greater integration among African countries in the mining sector, with countries contributing through workforce training, technical expertise, skills, technology, mineral resources, and manufacturing capabilities. This cooperation could support the production of mineral-based products serving markets across Africa.
Key points
- Egypt aims to develop integrated value chains in its mining sector to increase the added value of its natural resources and support industrial growth.
- The government is working to align mining and industrial policies to create integrated value chains connecting extraction, processing, refining, and mineral-based manufacturing.
- Egypt is promoting cooperation with Africa in the mining sector to support greater integration and utilization of the continent's mineral resources.
