The Central African Republic (CAR) is positioning its mining sector as a key driver of economic growth, with Minister of Mines and Geology Rufin Benam Beltoungou scheduled to speak at African Mining Week (AMW) 2026, set for October 14-16 in Cape Town.
Beltoungou will outline ongoing policy reforms and highlight investment opportunities aimed at industrializing CAR’s largely underdeveloped mining industry. In an interview with AMW organizers, the minister emphasized the country’s untapped potential beyond its well-known gold and diamond resources.
At the conference, Beltoungou is expected to participate in a ministerial panel on “Regional Policy Alignment: Mining Code Reforms to Unlock Value.” CAR has recently amended its Mining Code to strengthen regulatory frameworks, attract foreign investment, and streamline the permitting process.
The government is also digitizing its mining cadastre system with support from the World Bank, providing investors with improved access to geological data and faster processing of exploration and mining licenses. These initiatives align with CAR’s National Development Plan 2024–2028, which aims to mobilize over $12.8 billion in investment across priority sectors including mining and infrastructure.
CAR currently hosts more than 570 identified mineral occurrences, spanning gold, uranium, copper, nickel, and other minerals critical to the global energy transition. Recent agreements underscore the country’s investment potential, including a $50 million gold development deal with Maser, iron ore development contracts with A&S Resources valued at approximately $2.5 trillion, and a 25-year exploration agreement with Canadian company CVMR Corporation.
In addition to investment promotion, CAR is expanding its geological knowledge base through a nationwide geomapping program and plans for a national geoscience laboratory, both supported by the World Bank.
At AMW 2026, Beltoungou will also lead a CAR Country Focus session, providing updates on these initiatives and engaging directly with institutional investors and industry leaders. The conference coincides with African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2026, which runs from October 12-16 in Cape Town.
CAR’s reform agenda reflects a strategic push to diversify its mining sector, attract new capital, and establish the country as a significant contributor to the global supply of strategic minerals.
