Jinapor: Africa’s Mining Sector Must Empower Women, Youth, and SMEs
Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor, Member of Parliament for Damango and former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, has emphasized the need for Africa’s mining sector to be more inclusive, with greater participation from women, youth, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Speaking at the Mining Breakfast Meeting of the Africa Prosperity Dialog 2026, held at the Accra International Conference Center, Jinapor said the continent’s mining sector is at a crossroads, with a wealth of minerals critical to global industrialization and the green energy transition, but limited local participation and inadequate value addition.
“The theme of this meeting, ‘Unlocking Women, Youth, and SME Participation in Africa’s Mining Value Chains: Skills, Technology, and Intra-African Trade Opportunities,’ highlights a pressing policy challenge for mineral-rich African economies,” he said.
Jinapor emphasized the need for clear and enforceable frameworks that expand local participation, skill development aligned with modern mining realities, and support for SMEs. He also highlighted the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area, which could enable countries to process minerals locally and trade them across borders within the continent.
The former Minister’s remarks were made at a critical time for Africa’s mining sector, as the continent seeks to harness its mineral wealth to drive economic growth and development.
