KAMPALA July 13, 2026 — As African countries advance reforms aimed at unlocking new mineral discoveries and attracting greater mining investment, chambers of mines are playing an increasingly important role in connecting governments, investors and industry players. Through policy advocacy, regulatory engagement and investment promotion, these organisations are helping to shape the continent’s next phase of mining development.
That growing role will be in focus at African Mining Week [AMW] 2026, which will take place in Cape Town, South Africa, from October 14–16. Chamber executives from across the continent are expected to highlight the policies, partnerships and investment opportunities driving growth in Africa’s mining sector.
Zimbabwe offers a prime example of this expanding role. The Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe has become an influential voice in addressing production constraints, including power shortages and foreign exchange challenges. Its recommendations align with recent government initiatives to expand coal-fired power generation, increase coal production and achieve 10 percent growth in the mining sector in 2026.
At AMW 2026, the chamber’s Chief Executive Officer, Isaac Kwesu, will outline investment opportunities emerging as Zimbabwe implements reforms to strengthen the competitiveness of its mining industry.
In South Africa, the Minerals Council South Africa continues to advocate improvements to rail, port and electricity infrastructure while supporting the implementation of the Mineral Resources Development Bill and measures aimed at stimulating mineral exploration. These priorities complement government initiatives such as the Junior Mining Exploration Fund and a broader strategy to mobilise R2 trillion in mining investment over the next five years.
Chief Executive Officer Mzila Mthenjane will discuss efforts to revitalise exploration and unlock opportunities across South Africa’s platinum group metals, manganese and critical minerals sectors.
In Zambia, the Zambia Chamber of Mines has played a key role in shaping the Geological and Minerals Development Act of 2025, legislation designed to stimulate mineral exploration as the country works towards increasing annual copper production to three million tonnes by 2031.
Zambia has already reached a significant milestone in its nationwide geological mapping programme, completing 55 percent of the survey, while the recent launch of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure Policy and Geoportal is improving investors’ access to geological data.
At AMW 2026, Chief Executive Officer Sokwani Chilembo is expected to showcase investment opportunities as Zambia expands exploration activities and diversifies beyond copper.
As African countries increasingly position mining as a driver of economic diversification, Fousseni Togola, President of the Mali Chamber of Mines, will present investment opportunities in the country’s gold and lithium sectors, highlighting how Mali’s 2023 Mining Code is supporting investment in emerging minerals.
In Uganda, Humphrey Asiimwe, Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Chamber of Energy and Minerals, told AMW that the chamber would use the event to promote investment opportunities in gold, graphite and rare earth minerals. Uganda’s mining sector is a key pillar of the country’s strategy to increase its Gross Domestic Product [GDP] from US$59.3 billion to US$ 500 billion by 2040.
Meanwhile, Amara Kamara, President of the Liberia Chamber of Mines, is expected to highlight reforms aimed at attracting new exploration investment, including plans to establish a national mining company as Liberia targets more than US$3 billion in annual mining and energy revenues by 2029.
Regional collaboration will also feature prominently during AMW 2026. Thierry Naweji, Executive Chairman of the SA-DRC Chamber of Commerce, is expected to discuss opportunities to strengthen cooperation between South African and Congolese mining companies as both countries work to build more integrated regional mineral value chains.
With regulatory reforms gathering pace across the continent, AMW 2026 will demonstrate how chambers of mines are helping to translate policy ambitions into tangible investment opportunities, reinforcing their growing role in advancing Africa’s mining industry.
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