Africa must move beyond raw exports: MIIF boss calls for regional mineral processing partnerships

Justina Nelson, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana's Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), has made a compelling case for African countries to stop exporting raw minerals and instead build regional partnerships to process and manufacture finished products locally. Speaking at a high-level ministerial forum in Accra this month, she underscored that stronger collaboration on investment, geological data and mineral processing infrastructure could unlock billions in additional value currently lost to foreign refiners and manufacturers.

The call came during an October 19 ministerial roundtable on mineral value addition at the African Minerals Policy Forum (Mining in Motion Conference), held at the Destiny Arena in Haatso. The session brought together government officials, continental bodies and international development agencies to chart a path away from Africa's historical role as a raw material supplier towards becoming a centre of mineral processing and industrial production.

The case for African mineral processing

Nelson emphasised that efficient management of mineral resources is not merely an economic issue but a generational responsibility. Policies designed to attract investment and stimulate value addition across the entire mining value chain could generate substantial employment, strengthen domestic industries and significantly boost national revenues. Rather than shipping unprocessed ore abroad, African nations could retain the profits associated with smelting, refining and manufacturing.

Data sharing emerged as a critical priority. Nelson stressed that African governments must collaborate to map and share geological information about the continent's critical mineral reserves—including lithium, cobalt, copper and rare earths. This transparency would help identify processing opportunities and allow smaller nations to partner with neighbours, pooling resources and expertise to build viable operations.

What this means for Ghana and Africa's mining future

Ghana, as one of Africa's largest gold producers, has particular interest in this agenda. Currently, the country exports most gold ore with limited domestic refining capacity, meaning much of the value flows to international smelters and buyers. Adopting the MIIF's regional cooperation model could allow Ghana and neighbouring West African mining nations to establish shared processing hubs, creating jobs and retaining profit margins locally.

Participants at the forum identified critical barriers to realising this vision: affordable electricity, access to finance, transport networks, skilled technical workforces and robust regulatory frameworks. The consensus was that no single country can build world-class processing industries alone—regional coordination is essential. Opportunities to develop lithium batteries and other high-value mineral products were flagged as particularly promising if African nations act together.

Nelson also highlighted the gap between policy and implementation. Many African governments have adopted beneficiation mandates and strategies, yet investment and concrete outcomes remain limited. She called for urgent translation of these commitments into actionable programmes backed by funding and technical support.

A continental agenda adopted by Africa's leaders

The Mining in Motion platform discussed at the conference has been formally adopted by the African Union's Heads of State as the continent's strategy for harnessing minerals to drive inclusive growth, industrialisation and sustainability. The vision is ambitious: transform Africa from a supplier of raw materials into a centre of mineral-based manufacturing and technology.

For Ghana specifically, this agenda offers a pathway to maximise returns from its vast mineral wealth—gold, cocoa, oil and emerging lithium deposits. By leading regional initiatives on data sharing and processing capacity, Ghana could position itself as West Africa's mining hub and secure higher-value employment for its citizens.