Mining in Africa: rethinking the economic model, says Dr Ahamadou Mohamed Maïga

In a published reflection, Dr Ahamadou Mohamed Maïga, a Malian mining lawyer and renowned consultant, makes an uncompromising observation: "Mining companies are not there for the benefit of Africans". This powerful statement highlights the persistent imbalances in the exploitation of Africa's mineral resources, a key sector for many of the continent's economies. While Africa abounds in strategic minerals (gold, copper, cobalt, rare earths), the benefits for local populations are often derisory.

Drawing on his experience as a consultant for the World Bank and the African Union, Dr Maïga points the finger at an outdated economic model. Foreign mining companies, mainly from Australia, Canada and China, dominate the exploitation of Africa's resources. In 2024, giants such as BHP, Glencore and China Molybdenum strengthened their presence, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Ghana, where they control copper, cobalt and gold projects. Yet the economic benefits for governments and local communities are limited.

"Mining contracts are often unbalanced, favouring the interests of foreign investors to the detriment of host countries", explains Maïga. Profit transfer mechanisms and tax evasion, frequently mentioned in reports on the sector, deprive African governments of billions of dollars every year. In Nigeria, for example, the federal government's exclusive control over mining resources has not prevented mismanagement, while in Mali, the suspension of mining licences since 2022 is intended to clean up a sector plagued by opaque practices.

Beyond the economic stakes, mining raises serious social and environmental issues. In the DRC, a recent report denounced forced evictions orchestrated by mining companies, often with the complicity of local authorities, violating the rights of local populations. Women, in particular, suffer from a lack of access to economic opportunities in mining areas, despite calls for more inclusive policies.

In environmental terms, the damage caused by intensive extraction (deforestation, water pollution, soil erosion) compromises the sustainability of ecosystems. Dr Maïga insists on the need to integrate rigorous environmental impact studies into the process of awarding mining permits, a practice that he himself has promoted in Mali.

Given this situation, Maïga calls for an overhaul of the legal and contractual frameworks. He advocates an approach that strengthens the sovereignty of African states over their resources, along the lines of the reforms undertaken in Burkina Faso, where the government is seeking to nationalise more of its gold mines. The creation of regionascopy frameworks, such as the Atlas of African Mining Legislation, aims to make this information accessible to the public.

The Malian lawyer also advocates greater transparency in the management of mining revenues. His work with organisations such as Publish What You Pay has helped to establish advocacy mechanisms for the implementation of the African Mining Vision, a framework adopted by the African Union to maximise the benefits of resources for local populations.

Dr Maïga concludes with a clear message: African countries must negotiate fairer contracts, strengthen their legal capacities and invest in the local processing of minerals. "Africa can no longer be content to be a mere supplier of raw materials", he asserts. Initiatives such as the Ngualla project in Tanzania and Phalaborwa in South Africa, which aim to produce rare earths locally, show the way forward.

At a time when global demand for critical minerals is exploding, driven by the energy transition and green technologies, Africa has a unique opportunity to rethink its mining model. It remains to be seen whether governments will rise to this challenge and transform their underground wealth into sustainable development for their populations.