ACCRA, GHANA October 20, 2026.
Liberia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, R. Matenokay Tingban, has called on African countries to strengthen cooperation, improve geological data collection, and take practical steps to transform the continent’s mineral resources into sustainable economic growth.
Speaking during two high-level mining discussions in Accra, Ghana, Minister Tingban emphasized the need for African governments to move beyond policy commitments and implement strategies that promote industrialization and increase the economic benefits of mineral resources.
At a panel discussion on the African Mining Vision, the Liberian minister joined counterparts from Nigeria and Tanzania to examine ways of translating the continent’s mining development framework into tangible results.
Minister Tingban stressed that African countries must coordinate their efforts to strengthen their negotiating positions and secure better agreements with international mining investors.
He also called for comprehensive geological surveys to provide reliable information about the continent’s mineral resources.
The minister emphasized that governments should make investment decisions based on credible geological data, insisting that African countries must understand the value of their resources before negotiating mining agreements.
He summarized this approach with the principle: “No Data, No Deal.”
During a separate ministerial roundtable on moving from mineral extraction to industrial development, Minister Tingban proposed establishing a team of technical experts to assess the mining sector’s challenges, institutional weaknesses, infrastructure gaps, and opportunities for domestic industrial growth.
He said African countries must prioritize local processing, value addition, and industrial capacity to create jobs and retain a greater share of the wealth generated from their natural resources.
“For too long, we have been talking the talk; it’s time to walk the talk,” the minister declared, calling for practical action and measurable results.
For Liberia, the proposals align with efforts to attract responsible mining investment, strengthen sector governance, build institutional capacity, and expand opportunities for domestic processing.
Minister Tingban’s participation in the discussions highlights Liberia’s contribution to continental efforts to ensure that Africa’s mineral wealth supports industrialization, economic diversification, employment, and sustainable development.
Leave a Reply