Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Botswana and Zambia have positioned themselves as key partners in Africa’s push for mineral beneficiation, energy security, and regional industrialisation, as leaders from both countries called for deeper cooperation and long-term investment.

The two countries said this at Brand South Africa’s Investing in Africa Mining Indaba Welcome Reception on Sunday night.

Botswana’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Bogolo Kenewendo, said her country is deliberately shifting from an extractive mining model towards industrialisation, energy security, and regional value chains.

Kenewendo said Botswana’s long-standing reputation as a stable and transparent mining jurisdiction provides a strong foundation for its next phase of growth, which would be driven by beneficiation, downstream manufacturing, and cross-border integration.

“We are looking for serious partners, and not exploitation and exploration, but in beneficiation, in processing, and in the downstream manufacturing. If your minds are thinking beyond the pit into smelting, refining, fabrication, or regional supply, Botswana wants to work with you now,” she said.  

Without energy, she said, industrialisation would not be possible, noting that Botswana is aggressively expanding its power base through renewable energy, base-load generation and cross-border power agreements within the Southern African Power Pool, including cooperation with Zambia, Namibia and South Africa.

Head of Investments: Mining and Energy at the Industrial Development Corporation of Zambia, Mulumba Lwatula, echoed the call for regional collaboration, saying Africa must drive its own development agenda by leveraging continental strengths.

Lwatula said Zambia now views itself as “land-linked” rather than landlocked, positioning the country as a logistics and trade hub within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). 

He said Zambia was implementing mining sector reforms and creating platforms for partnerships with junior explorers, major mining companies, and regional governments to expand copper production and support the global energy transition.

He added that regional cooperation, particularly with South Africa’s established mining expertise and infrastructure, would be critical to building human capital, scaling production, and strengthening Africa’s role in global value chains.

Sunday’s reception, which was addressed by Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong, was held ahead of the official opening of the Mining Indaba on Monday, 09 February in Cape Town.– SAnews.gov.za

 

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Africa’s mineral wealth is placing the continent at the centre of future industries, from clean energy to advanced manufacturing, as demand for critical minerals accelerates the global energy transition. 

This is according to Deputy Minister in The Presidency Kenny Morolong, who was delivering the keynote address at Brand South Africa’s Investing in Africa Mining Indaba Welcome Reception Dinner held at The Capital Hotel in Cape Town on Sunday evening.

Held ahead of the official opening of the Mining Indaba on Monday, 09 February, Morolong said Africa is moving decisively from being a supplier of raw materials to becoming a global hub for industrial value addition, driven by clean energy technologies and advanced manufacturing.

“Our mobilising theme for this evening is industrialising Africa at scale, the role of strategic minerals, integrated infrastructure and continental policy, which speaks to a bold vision for our continent’s future.”
He said minerals were the backbone of modern economies and would become even more critical as the world decarbonises.

“Wherever we are or come from in the world, metals and minerals are part of our daily lives. Minerals are a lifeblood of any modern and modernising society,” he said.

Morolong added that Africa now has an “unprecedented opportunity to move from being a mere supplier of raw materials to becoming a hub of industrial value addition and innovation.”

He said the demand outlook for critical minerals underscored the urgency of Africa’s industrialisation drive, noting that minerals such as lithium and rare earth elements would soon surpass fossil fuels in global value.
“These are the new oils of the 21st century.”

Morolong noted that demand for minerals such as rare earth elements and lithium is projected to nearly triple by 2030 and quadruple by 2040, while cumulative revenues from critical minerals between now and 2050 are expected to be more than three times greater than those from fossil fuels.

“In other words, these minerals, all of which are found beneath African soil, will be significantly valuable to the global economy than oil or gas in the coming decades.”

He said this global shift places Africa and South Africa in particular at the forefront of future industries.
“As [the] South African government, we see Africa as a continent on the cusp of transformation. South Africa is a proponent, and a gateway to a fully integrated African economy that will no longer be defined by trade in raw materials, but by the production of tertiary goods such as battery, solar panels in electronics and industrial products that will power the 21st century.

“We invite our partners and investors congregated here tonight, and the rest of the week, to join us on this journey of a long-term partnership and shared prosperity,” the Deputy Minister said.

Value addition
Morolong said African countries have already begun restricting the export of unprocessed critical minerals to ensure value addition takes place on the continent.

“What this says is that we Africans are no longer content to merely supply the inputs of industrial economies. It says we want to capture the downstream opportunities and build industries for ourselves in the global economy.”

This shift is supported by continental policy frameworks, including the African Union’s African Green Minerals Strategy adopted in 2024, which guides countries on harnessing critical minerals for industrialisation.

Improving the investment climate
Turning to South Africa’s mining sector, Morolong said mining remains a cornerstone of the economy and must be managed sustainably.

“Minerals and metals account for nearly half of South Africa’s export by value, and mineral production is equivalent to about 10% of our GDP [Gross Domestic Product],” he said.

He said the government is implementing reforms to improve the investment climate, including streamlining licensing processes, addressing energy constraints and reforming logistics and port infrastructure.
“Government has raised [the] licensing threshold to encourage private power generation, enabling mining companies to invest in their own renewable energy plants.”

He stressed that infrastructure development remains central to Africa’s industrial ambitions.
“You cannot build a competitive and reliable industrial base without reliable power, good transport networks and efficient logistics,” he said.

Morolong also reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which he said would unlock economies of scale by creating a single African market valued at US$3.4 trillion.
“As we pursue growth through mining and industrialisation, we are keenly aware that our progress must be sustainable and inclusive,” he said, adding that developing human capital is essential to the continent’s industrial future.

He invited investors to partner with Africa on a long-term basis.

“We seek long-term partnerships that offer mutually beneficial outcomes, attractive returns for investors and sustainable development for our people,” Morolong said.

The reception, hosted by Brand South Africa, set the tone for the Mining Indaba 2026, bringing together global leaders, policymakers, investors and industry stakeholders ahead of a week of engagements under the theme: “Mining in Transformation: Fuelling Africa’s sustainable future.” 

READ | Morolong to address Brand SA Mining Indaba reception

By convening senior government leaders, captains of industry, continental institutions and international investors, the reception positions Africa’s mineral resources at the centre of global conversations on industrialisation, infrastructure development and long-term socio-economic transformation. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong, will this evening deliver an address at the Brand South Africa Mining Indaba Welcome Reception in Cape Town.

The Deputy Minister’s address will focus on strategic minerals, integrated infrastructure, and continental policy.

The session will take place at the Capital 15 on Orange Hotel.

“Brand South Africa will host its official Welcome Reception on Sunday, 08 February 2026, as global leaders, policymakers, investors, and industry pioneers gather for Mining Indaba 2026, creating a moment for reflection, connection, and renewed commitment to Africa’s shared future. The reception sets the tone for the week ahead, anchoring conversations around responsible industrialisation, strategic minerals, and Africa’s role in shaping a just and inclusive global economy,” Brand South Africa said in an earlier statement.

It said the gathering is one where like-minded industry leaders come together to showcase how mining is not only about extraction, but about impact, legacy, and people.

“[The] Mining Indaba is a powerful platform that positions South Africa’s mineral wealth and reaffirms its global role as one of Africa’s leading mining giants. By convening senior government leaders, captains of industry, continental institutions, and international investors, the reception positions Africa’s mineral resources at the centre of global conversations on industrialisation,” said Neville Matjie, Chief Executive Officer of Brand South Africa.

Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe said discussions at the indaba must focus on collaborations that will unlock the full potential of critical minerals for the benefit of all people.

“Our discussions today – and throughout the Mining Indaba – must, therefore, focus on how we can encourage collaboration between the public and private sectors, financial institutions, investors, and communities to unlock the full potential of our critical minerals for the benefit of our people,” Mantashe said on Sunday.

READ | Collaboration key to mineral beneficiation

The Minister was speaking at the Ministerial Symposium session ahead of the official opening of the Mining Indaba held at the International Convention Centre in Cape Town.

Minister Mantashe is set to address the official opening ceremony of the indaba on Monday, 09 February. –SAnews.gov.za

 

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Discussions at the Mining Indaba must focus on collaborations that will unlock the full potential of critical minerals for the benefit of all people, Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe said on Sunday.

“Our discussions today – and throughout the Mining Indaba – must, therefore, focus on how we can encourage collaboration between the public and private sectors, financial institutions, investors, and communities to unlock the full potential of our critical minerals for the benefit of our people,” he said.

Speaking at the Ministerial Symposium session ahead of the official opening of the Mining Indaba held at the International Convention Centre in Cape Town, Mantashe said mobilising capital at the scale required for exploration, responsible mining, and value-addition closer to the point of production cannot be achieved by governments alone.

“Nor can it be achieved by the private sector operating in isolation. It requires partnership,” he said, adding that South Africa is already acting on this approach through the establishment of the Junior Mining Exploration Fund.

The fund is a deliberate intervention, whose early outcomes point to substantial untapped mineral potential. From an initial allocation of R400 million, the Fund has already attracted pledges amounting to R2 billion.
“This demonstrates investor appetite where policy intent and financial instruments are aligned. While this is encouraging, it remains insufficient.”

He added that across the African continent, significant geological potential remains under-explored.
“We must intensify geological exploration and mapping across the continent through collaborative partnerships and alignment. Such efforts are essential to alleviate the scarcity of critical minerals and to diversify the geographic sources of production.

“Equally critical in the mining value chain is investment in infrastructure, processing facilities, and industrial ecosystems within producer countries. This is where partnerships become decisive: partnerships that align mining investment with infrastructure development, thereby ensuring that greater value is retained locally.”
In addition, he bemoaned the era of Africa competing against itself on who offers the lowest returns as not being a sustainable investment strategy.

“The opportunity before us is to structure partnerships that are transparent, predictable, and mutually beneficial. If we succeed, Africa’s mineral endowment will not only supply raw minerals to global markets but will [also] anchor industrialisation, create jobs, and support inclusive growth across the continent.
“Let us use this opportunity to bridge our differences and chart a clear and collective pathway towards Africa’s success, anchored in the responsible and strategic use of our mineral endowment,” said the Minister.

The Minister said that the G20 Declaration and the G20 Critical Minerals Framework of the first G20 Summit held on African soil in November last year provide a clear pathway forward.

“It seeks to unlock investment in mineral exploration, promote local beneficiation at source, and strengthen governance for sustainable mining practices. It affirms the right of mineral-endowed countries to harness their resources for industrialisation and inclusive growth, while providing long-term certainty.”

He said the key enabler of these initiatives is partnership.

In an advisory earlier this week, the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources said South Africa hosts the Investing in African Mining Indaba at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 8 to 12 February 2026.

Investor confidence 
The indaba brings together African leaders, industry stakeholders, and investors to discuss the responsible development of the continent’s mineral resources amid global geopolitical uncertainty.

“The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) and its entities will use the Indaba platform to restore and strengthen investor confidence in South Africa’s mining sector. Since the previous Indaba, the Department has made significant progress in ensuring stability, policy certainty, and growth through the implementation of a transparent Mining Licensing System, the launch of the Critical Minerals Strategy, and the Junior Mining Exploration Fund, which has accelerated exploration activity and contributed to the discovery of new mineral deposits,” said the DMPR.

In line with its national strategy to build responsible, high-value supply chains, the DMPR will host several engagements on the sidelines of the Indaba, including the African Ministers’ Critical Minerals Roundtable, the Investor Dialogue on Building Critical Minerals Value Chains, the South Africa Exploration Investment Forum, the Women in Mining Brunch, and the Young Professionals Forum.

READ | Mining Indaba to strengthen collaboration between government, investors

Minister Mantashe is set to address the official opening ceremony of the indaba on Monday, 09 February. –SAnews.gov.za

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