Guinea: Conakry hosts the 2nd edition of the African Mining and Energy Law Weekend

The second edition of the Week-end Africain du Droit Minier et de l'Énergie (WADME) was inaugurated this Friday, May 10, 2024 in Conakry, in the presence of dignitaries and sector experts. Organized by the Institut de Formation et d'Expertise Juridique (IFEJ) in collaboration with the Guinean Bar Association, this annual pan-African event aims to strengthen dialogue and propose essential legal and economic solutions for the development of the mining and energy sectors in Africa.

The opening ceremony was chaired by Bachir Camara, Secretary General of the Ministry of Mines and Geology, and was attended by key figures such as the Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Justice, the President of the Guinean Chamber of Mines, and representatives of bar associations from several African countries.

This year's edition features ten panels led by African and European specialists, covering crucial topics such as mineral processing, energy transition, legal and tax audits, and best practices in the mining sector.

Momoya Sylla, vice-president of IFEJ and chairman of the organizing committee, emphasized the importance of this forum as a means of disseminating regulations and promoting African energy and mining capacities. Hamidou Drame, vice-president of WADME, detailed the three pillars of the event: training, advocacy and collaboration between legal professionals and economic decision-makers, essential to harness natural resources for African development.

Mamadou Souaré Diop, President of the Guinean Bar Association, expressed his appreciation for the organization of this strategic event in a country endowed with significant mining and energy potential, underlining the crucial role of the law at every stage of mining.

The event is part of the vision of judicial transition, as underlined by Mr Keita, Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Justice, echoing the national commitment to strengthened judicial governance.

In conclusion, Mr Camara thanked the participants and organizers, highlighting the growing role of law in the management of the mining and energy sectors, and called for greater commitment from African lawyers to support the reforms underway, ensuring mutual benefits for states, populations, and investors.