Africa's mining sector uses digital technology to modernise and attract investors

Mineral-rich African countries are speeding up the digitisation of their mining licensing processes to attract investors and maximise their resources for economic growth. From Zambia to South Africa, via Tanzania, Rwanda and Nigeria, these digital reforms will transform the extractive sector into an engine of opportunity.

Zambia has launched the Integrated Mining Information System, a digital platform aimed at streamlining the issuing of licences. This initiative, which followed record investment of $9.3 billion in 2024 and a 79% increase in licences issued, is boosting investor confidence. It supports the country's ambitious goal of increasing copper production to 3.1 million tonnes by 2031, capitalising on growing global demand for this key metal in the energy transition.

In South Africa, the country's largest historical gold producer, the Minister of Mineral Resources and Petroleum, Gwede Mantashe, has announced the launch of a digital licensing system by June 2025. The aim is to improve efficiency and transparency and reduce approval times, particularly for platinum group metals. The aim of this reform is to diversify the South African mining industry and attract new investors to a sector in search of renewal.

Tanzania, rich in lithium, graphite and rare earths, is also adopting digital reforms. Aziza Swedi, acting director of the Mining Commission, revealed that 54,626 licences have been issued since 2017, a process that will be accelerated thanks to a new digital platform. In Rwanda, the Inkomane platform, launched in October 2024, enables real-time monitoring, linking mining companies, business partners and authorities such as the Tax Authority. The system improves compliance, payroll and workforce management, as illustrated by the example of Aterian.

In May 2024, Nigeria introduced a decision support system for mineral resources, a one-stop shop offering transparent access to geological data and permit applications. This initiative makes it easier for investors to enter a sector that is rich in potential, but has long been held back by red tape.

These advances, which will be at the heart of discussions at African Mining Week, reflect a collective desire to modernise the African mining sector. By streamlining operations, increasing transparency and freeing up crucial data, these digital platforms are attracting foreign capital and optimising the exploitation of resources. At a time when global demand for critical minerals is exploding, Africa is positioning itself as a key player, ready to transform its mineral wealth into a lever for sustainable development.