Women in Mining Africa WiM-Africa

06/10/2026

What is Africa’s pricing power over its minerals and metals? Possessing minerals and having influence over how those minerals are valued are two very different things.

This November 2026, Dr Comfort will be speaking in at the Shanghai Metals Market Expo, where the roundtable discussion will centre on “Eastern Pricing 2.0: Integrating Futures, Physical Markets, Industry and Finance for the Next Stage of Global Metals Pricing.”

Registration Link - https://smm-sme.metal.com/

The ED will be drawing attention to an important African dimension of this conversation:

Where does Africa sit in the evolving architecture of global metals price discovery?

As new pricing centres emerge and the global minerals economy increasingly looks East, Africa must think beyond being a supplier of raw materials. We need to strengthen our capacity in market intelligence, beneficiation, standards, traceability, aggregation, trading and value addition so that African producers can participate more meaningfully in the markets that ultimately determine what our resources are worth.

For us, the question is not whether pricing influence should move from West to East.

The bigger question is whether the next generation of global metals pricing can become more inclusive of the countries and communities where these minerals originate.

Africa has mineral power. How do we translate that into greater pricing power?

We look forward to bringing this perspective to Shanghai.

20/09/2026

48 in Mali. Over 200 in DRC. At Least 49 in CAR. 60+ in Sudan. 37 in Nigeria: How Many More Lives Before Africa Reforms Its Artisanal Mining Ecosystem?

WiM-Africa Statement | 37 Suspected Miners Die in Custody in Niger State, Nigeria

Women in Mining Africa (WiM-Africa) is deeply saddened by reports that 37 people detained on suspicion of illegal mining have died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State of Nigeria.

The miners were reportedly among those arrested during enforcement operations on 15–16 September 2026. While initial reports referred to a possible disease outbreak, other accounts have raised concerns about overcrowding and inadequate ventilation. The precise cause of death has not yet been established, and medical examinations and official investigations are underway.

We extend our condolences to the families and communities affected.

At WiM-Africa, we strongly support efforts to combat unlawful mining, mineral trafficking and practices that undermine responsible mineral development. But enforcement must never come at the expense of human dignity, due process or the right to life.

This tragedy also reinforces a larger issue that Africa must confront: we cannot police our way out of informality in artisanal and small-scale mining.

Through our Silent 15 of Bilalikoto initiative, WiM-Africa continues to call attention to preventable loss of life across Africa’s artisanal mining ecosystem—whether at mining sites or within the systems responsible for regulating and protecting miners. Read More https://www.wimafrica.org/silent15ofbilalikoto

Many people enter informal mining because it represents one of the few livelihood opportunities available to them. Governments must therefore combine enforcement with formalisation, accessible licensing, cooperative development, safety training, alternative livelihoods and pathways into responsible mineral value chains.

We welcome President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for a comprehensive and transparent investigation and the subsequent suspension of officers pending its outcome.

Thirty-seven lives demand answers—but they must also compel reform.

Africa needs mining governance that protects its mineral resources and its people.

Read more https://lnkd.in/eeUNvqz3

17/09/2026

When a child understands natural resources, environmental responsibility, safety, value chains and leadership early, a future pathway begins. WiM-Africa is advancing school-based programs that expose African learners to mining, processing, beneficiation, value addition and enterprise opportunities in a simple, practical and age-appropriate way.

Access resources https://www.womeninminingafrica.com/nextgen

14/09/2026

Our next challenge is scale - The WiM-Africa Institute for Leadership & Sustainable Mining is already operational. Our next challenge is scale.

Universities, geological surveys, mining companies, government agencies, technical colleges, laboratories and research institutions already possess infrastructure, equipment and expertise that can help expand practical learning in leadership, mineral beneficiation, policy, enterprise development, research and sustainable mining.

Rather than duplicate what already exists, we are building a continental network that connects these assets to women, young professionals, entrepreneurs and future leaders across the mining value chain.

In this video, The Executive Director of Women in Mining Africa (WiM-Africa), Dr. Comfort Asokoro-Ogaji share how governments, private-sector organisations, universities, development partners and technical centres can become part of this vision and help us scale impact across the continent. Watch here: https://youtu.be/jH7I1M653X0

Learn more: https://www.wimafrica.org/institute | Partnerships: [email protected]

10/09/2026

Africa cannot continue to export minerals while importing the skills, technologies and leadership needed to transform them. The WiM-Africa NextGen Initiative is our call to Ministries of Education, schools, TVET institutions and partners across Africa to begin preparing children early for responsible participation in the mineral and natural resource economy.

Access resources https://www.womeninminingafrica.com/nextgen

08/09/2026

This is a continental movement to prepare Africa’s children for the future of solid minerals, green skills, ESG, STEM, TVET and value addition. WiM-Africa invites Ministries, schools, development partners, mining companies and implementing organisations to join the NextGen Initiative and support the rise of Africa’s future minerals leaders.

Access resources https://www.womeninminingafrica.com/nextgen

01/09/2026

31/08/2026

A special thank you to our volunteers and members in the communications and media industry. Your work helps amplify our voices, tell the stories of women across Africa’s mining sector, and strengthen WiM-Africa’s visibility and impact across the continent and beyond. https://youtu.be/ZbeXZg9J9vg?si=1F7tBYAQYRgewHKc

31/08/2026

Building the future workforce of Africa starts now. We invite mining companies, governments, schools, DFIs and development partners to work with us to expand this opportunity across African schools.

👉🏾 Explore and partner with WiM-Africa NextGen: https://www.womeninminingafrica.com/nextgen

26/08/2026

The Next Minerals Revolution Must Start with African Children

Inviting Ministries of Education and relevant institutions to participate and drive the agenda locally

https://www.womeninminingafrica.com/nextgen