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Morocco urges Africa to adopt sustainable mining governance framework
Morocco has renewed its appeal for African nations to establish a continent-wide mining framework that prioritizes governance, environmental protection, and social responsibility. Addressing the “Mauritanid” Energy and Mining Conference in Nouakchott, Leila Benali, Morocco’s Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, stressed the urgent need for a mining governance system tailored to Africa’s unique challenges.
Represented by Ahmed Bouzid, Director General of Energy and Mineral Production, Benali outlined Morocco’s hope that African mining ministers will formalize this framework at the upcoming Mining Conference in Marrakech this November. The initiative aims to guide governments and companies in responsibly managing the extraction, transport, and sustainable use of Africa’s vast natural resources.
Benali criticized existing frameworks, which are often adapted from external financial or regulatory models, for failing to address Africa's specific realities. She referenced last December’s international mining conference in Marrakech, where consensus emerged on the need for an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) framework to ensure sustainable mining development.
Morocco’s leadership in this area serves as a model for the continent. The country’s “Origin–Transit–Certification” (OTC) initiative, endorsed by African mining ministers, ensures traceability and adherence to ESG standards, especially for rare minerals critical to Africa’s economic transformation. Morocco also collaborates with the African Minerals Development Centre to promote policy alignment, transparency, and accountability across the mineral supply chain.
Benali highlighted the Royal Atlantic Initiative, introduced by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, as a strategic project aimed at fostering South-South cooperation and connecting Sahel countries to the Atlantic through Morocco. This corridor is designed to facilitate mineral exports that meet stringent sustainability and governance standards.
Morocco’s mining reforms aim to shift from a traditional model focused on raw material exports to one that integrates into global value chains in sectors like energy, digital technology, and storage. The reforms also aim to equitably distribute wealth and mitigate governance risks, ensuring fair benefits across regions.
The Mauritanid conference, inaugurated by Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, serves as a platform for industry stakeholders to explore development opportunities, forge partnerships, and highlight regional investment prospects. As African nations seek to responsibly harness their resource wealth, Morocco’s vision emphasizes sustainability, transparency, and socio-economic development as cornerstones for the continent’s mining future.