ABUJA — To redefine the trajectory of Africa’s mining industry, Women in Mining Africa (WiM-Africa) has initiated an ambitious pan-continental effort aimed at crafting their Five-Year Action Plan for 2025–2030. This strategic roadmap seeks to promote gender equality, foster sustainable practices, and encourage broad-based development throughout the entire minerals supply chain.
This significant program has garnered involvement from more than 36 African nations such as Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, along with individuals from the African diaspora based in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This makes it one of the largest collaborative efforts ever seen within this industry’s timeline.
"This goes beyond a mere strategy; it’s a movement aimed at ensuring African women aren’t sidelined in the mineral industry," stated Dr. Comfort Asokoro-Ogaji, Executive Director of WiM-Africa.
We are developing a structure that embodies the perspectives and truths of women across all levels, ranging from artisanal miners to professionals and policymakers.
The coordination of this process is led by the Office of Strategy, Planning & Research through Bethelihem Emiru from Ethiopia, working alongside WiM-Africa’s continental secretariat. To maintain inclusiveness and local applicability, structured consultations, technical documents, and an intensive peer-review system are being utilized.
As per Emiru, "It’s all about collaboration. We’re witnessing highly contextual contributions from various parts of the continent—from legal advocacy and innovative research to ideas such as employing cartoons for community-level outreach. This shows us that our ears are open."
The proposed Action Plan will be based on WiM-Africa’s Strategic Focus Areas and Seven Programmatic Priorities, aiming to define both the organization’s internal approach and act as a benchmark for interactions with development finance institutions, donors, national governments, and business allies.
The Action Plan will rely on an innovative organizational structure consisting of five directorates along with specialized units to facilitate implementation across major areas. This plan will supervise 29 core initiatives spanning various topics such as gender equality, inclusive supply chains, youth development, digital impact, legal changes, and research efforts.
A notable aspect is the implementation of a continental monitoring and evaluation framework aimed at ensuring gender equity compliance within the mining operations of member states.
Stakeholders have suggested enhancing the collaboration among local chapters by employing innovative methods such as community-produced cartoons to boost advocacy efforts and engage with marginalized populations, particularly those in rural areas and informal mining sectors.
“As Dr. Asokoro-Ogaji highlighted, ‘This is when the strength of collective intelligence shines through.’ We are merging specialized knowledge, communal insight, and forward-thinking guidance into a single comprehensive and implementable strategy.”
WiM-Africa is urging mining firms, civil society organizations, development agencies, and government bodies to participate in shaping the draft and subsequently aid in its execution once it is completed later this year.
"The effectiveness of this Action Plan will depend on the readiness of both public and private entities to come forward and take action," Emiru stated.
As the drafting process intensifies and consultations continue, WiM-Africa is well-positioned to establish a new benchmark for integrating inclusive governance and gender equality into Africa’s mining industry—a field historically marked by disparities but which is now being reshaped by the same women who were previously marginalized.
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