A wave of mining reforms across Africa could unlock billions of dollars in investment as countries modernise legal frameworks to attract capital, expand exploration and strengthen local mineral processing, according to a release by Energy Capital & Power.
The report notes that updated mining codes and regulatory reforms are giving investors clearer rules and greater certainty while enabling governments to capture more value from their mineral resources.
The issue is expected to feature prominently at African Mining Week 2026, scheduled for October 14–16 in Cape Town, where policymakers, investors and industry leaders will examine how regulatory changes are reshaping the continent’s mining sector.
According to the release, several African countries are introducing new laws or revising existing mining frameworks to improve transparency, boost investment and encourage the development of downstream industries.
In Liberia, authorities are preparing to introduce a new mining code within the next three months and establish a national mining company to increase state participation in major projects. The move is also expected to strengthen the government’s negotiating position with investors while expanding exploration activities, particularly as nearly 80 percent of the country remains geologically unexplored.
In southern Africa, Namibia is finalising a new Minerals Bill to replace legislation enacted in 2002. According to the report, the reforms aim to attract new investment and diversify the country’s mining sector beyond diamonds and uranium into strategic minerals such as lithium and rare earth elements.
Meanwhile, the Republic of the Congo approved a draft mining code in November 2025 introducing competitive bidding for mining rights, formal permitting for small-scale miners and measures to support domestic mineral processing.
Across the continent, other governments are also reviewing their mining policies to broaden production and unlock new resources.
Côte d’Ivoire is revising its mining code to support the development of minerals including chromium, coltan, lithium, copper, cobalt and iron ore, complementing its existing mining industry which currently operates 19 mines.
Similarly, Somalia is overhauling its mining regulations to open up frontier resources such as uranium, lithium, cobalt, gold and diamonds to investors.
The report notes that some countries are already seeing results from recent reforms.
Mali, which introduced a new mining code in 2023, remains Africa’s second-largest gold producer while advancing lithium projects and a gold refinery with international partners Barrick and B2Gold.
Likewise, Burkina Faso, which adopted a revised mining code in 2024, increased gold production from about 57–60 tonnes to 94 tonnes in 2025, reinforcing investor confidence and strengthening its position as Africa’s fourth-largest gold producer.
According to Energy Capital & Power, the reforms are helping position African countries as key suppliers of critical minerals required for the global energy transition while encouraging greater local participation in the mining value chain.
The upcoming African Mining Week is expected to provide a platform for governments, investors and industry players to examine how legal certainty and regulatory reforms can translate into new exploration projects, expanded mineral production and stronger investment flows into Africa’s mining sector.
