Victoria Awuni
Ghana has called for a fundamental shift in the way local content is approached in Africa’s mining sector, arguing that it must move beyond regulatory compliance to become a powerful driver of industrialisation, supplier development and long-term economic growth.
The position was presented by the Minerals Commission at the 5th Mining Local Content Compliance Forum (MLCCF 2026) in Mwanza, Tanzania, where Ghana showcased its local content and local participation framework as a model for converting mineral wealth into broader national economic value.
Representing the Minerals Commission, Deputy Chief Executive responsible for Policy Planning, Mineral Titles and Local Content, Victoria Awuni, made the case during a high-level panel discussion on “Beyond Compliance: Transforming Local Content into Industrial Growth, Supplier Development, and Lasting Economic Impact.”
She said Ghana’s experience demonstrates that local content can become a strategic industrial policy tool when supported by strong legislation, sustained engagement between regulators and industry, value-addition policies and targeted incentives.
A key component of Ghana’s approach, she noted, is the country’s 2030 policy framework, which seeks to increase the contribution of mining to the domestic economy by encouraging greater value addition before minerals are exported.
Ms Awuni identified local participation requirements, continuous regulator-industry collaboration and deliberate value-addition policies as key pillars of Ghana’s framework.
She also highlighted incentives, including tax reliefs and import duty concessions, designed to improve the competitiveness of local businesses while encouraging mining companies to procure more goods and services domestically.
According to her, integrating Ghanaian small and medium-sized enterprises into mining companies’ primary supply chains is particularly important because it can facilitate technology transfer, retain more capital within the economy and create opportunities for young people, local vendors and mining host communities.
She further pointed to recognition and accountability mechanisms, including annual local content awards by the Ghana Chamber of Mines, as measures that help reinforce performance and encourage mining companies to improve their local participation outcomes.
Ms Awuni stressed, however, that stronger local content must not undermine the competitiveness of the mining industry.
She said the most effective approach requires a balance between firm government regulation and a competitive operating environment for mining companies and local suppliers.
“Optimizing local content policy hinges on strong multi-stakeholder collaboration among governments, operators, and local businesses,” she said.
She said the broader objective should be to ensure that Africa does not merely extract and export its mineral resources but uses mining as a foundation for industrial development, stronger domestic supply chains and lasting economic prosperity.
The forum brought together regulators, mining companies and suppliers to examine ways of leveraging Africa’s mineral resources to achieve sustainable development and deeper economic impact.
