Accra: Mining expert, Dr Toni Aubynn, has called on the government to actively participate in establishing an integrated minerals market across Africa. Speaking at the Africa Trade Summit, Dr Aubynn emphasized the importance of regional integration amidst rising geopolitical fragmentation.
According to Ghana Web, Dr Aubynn highlighted Ghana's potential gains as a leader in the mining sector from a unified regional market. He explained that integration would offer Ghanaian mining investors opportunities to expand into other African nations. Furthermore, he argued that a continent-wide minerals market would allow African countries to maximize their natural resource benefits.
Despite ongoing discussions, Dr Aubynn noted that regional bodies like the African Union have yet to achieve significant progress in this area. He asserted, "Africa's continued fragmentation is a choice, not a destiny. Harmonisation is not about surrendering sovereignty, it is about leveraging scale to enhance national gains."
Dr Aubynn urged stronger leadership from major mining countries like Ghana to accelerate progress and unlock new opportunities for the continent's resources. He stressed that integration should be implemented carefully and suggested introducing a sliding-scale system for royalties to incentivize local mineral processing. Dr Aubynn expressed support for President John Dramani Mahama's efforts in this direction, hoping for substantial progress after years of discussion.
Additionally, Dr Aubynn voiced concerns over proposals to eliminate the Stability and Development Agreements provision in the Minerals and Mining Act review. He questioned the rationale behind discarding these agreements and suggested adapting them to benefit local investors, proposing changes to eligibility thresholds for both foreign and local companies.
The Africa Trade Summit 2026, organized by the African Trade Chamber in partnership with the Government of Ghana, brought together leaders driving Africa's economic transformation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Union's Agenda 2063.