Beyond ‘King coal’: Industrialisation takes centre stage at Mining Indaba

Coal was also firmly on the agenda, with delegates acknowledging that the commodity will remain central to Africa’s mining and energy mix for the foreseeable future

Regional integration took centre stage at the Mining Indaba with speakers emphasising the need for African countries to align their industrial ambitions while recognising diverse national realities.

Marit Kitaw of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa noted that a “one-size-fits-all” approach to development is unrealistic. 

However, she stressed that a unified continental voice is both possible and necessary. Countries and regional blocs such as ECOWAS and SADC can agree on the value addition framework, even if their pathways differ. More insights from Kitaw are featured in the 2025/2026 edition of African Power & Energy Elites magazine.

Coal was also firmly on the agenda, with delegates acknowledging that the commodity will remain central to Africa’s mining and energy mix for the foreseeable future. Yet discussions moved beyond ‘King Coal’ to interrogate whether the continent is ready to cultivate broader industrial champions.

Major economies, including Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa, were cited as examples of countries with established manufacturing capacity in steel, glass and cement, offering room for expansion. 

Delegates highlighted the importance of leveraging mineral wealth for industrialisation, underpinned by responsible sourcing, local content and clear value-addition strategies, echoing Ghana’s Critical Minerals Strategy.

Cover photo:  Mining Indaba