East African Mining News Unearthing Mining Opportunities in East Africa
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Africa’s vast mineral wealth took centre stage at the second international “Russia–Africa Expo-2025”, where a high-level roundtable explored new avenues for cooperation between African countries, Russia and China in the mining sector. Hosted by the Financial and Business Association of Euro-Asian Cooperation (FBA EAC) in Moscow, the discussion highlighted how shifting global supply chains and geopolitical realignments are accelerating interest in Africa as a strategic partner for critical minerals, industrial development and long-term investment.
The forum brought together more than 70 participants including diplomats, business executives, academics and representatives of international organisations from over 15 African countries, alongside delegations from Russia, China and Iran. The strong presence of Chinese officials and industrial representatives reinforced Beijing’s commitment to deepening mining cooperation in Africa, while Russian institutions used the platform to showcase their technologies, industrial capabilities and financing instruments aimed at supporting joint mining and infrastructure projects across the continent.
African representatives emphasised that the continent is no longer positioning itself merely as a supplier of raw materials, but as a partner seeking technology transfer, value-addition and sustainable development. Discussions focused heavily on building local capacity through skills development, modern mining standards, environmental protection and the creation of regional industrial clusters. Several speakers stressed the need for integrated value chains that include processing, logistics and manufacturing, rather than reliance on commodity exports alone.
Key contributions from Russian industry experts outlined opportunities for joint ventures, equipment supply, and technology transfer, while emphasising Russia’s readiness to support Africa with engineering expertise, industrial project development and institutional frameworks for large-scale cooperation. Participants also explored the role of financial mechanisms, including guarantees and development funding, to de-risk investments and accelerate project implementation. The involvement of Iranian financial and technology interests further underlined the broader Eurasian ambition to strengthen economic ties with Africa beyond traditional trade.
The roundtable concluded that Africa’s mining sector is entering a new phase of geopolitical importance, as global powers compete for access to critical minerals needed for energy transition, industrial manufacturing and digital technologies. While the commitments and recommendations made during the forum reflect strong political and commercial intent, participants acknowledged that the real test will lie in translating these discussions into concrete projects that address historical underinvestment, build local capacity and deliver measurable benefits to African economies and communities.
