African nations restrict unprocessed mineral exports

Several African nations are implementing restrictions on the export of unprocessed minerals to promote domestic value addition and industrial development.

Zimbabwe has banned the export of unbeneficiated beryl and feldspar through Statutory Instrument 156 of 2024. This regulation, issued by Minister of Mines and Mining Development Soda Zhemu, requires written permits for such exports and aligns with a broader resource nationalism strategy previously applied to raw lithium. The policy aims to encourage mining companies to invest in domestic processing facilities.

In Kenya, President William Ruto announced a ban on unprocessed mineral exports, including gold. The government intends to build refineries in Nairobi and the Kakamega mining region, with the Central Bank of Kenya holding priority purchasing rights to help curb unregulated mining and lost royalty revenue. Similarly, Malawi’s Mining Minister Thoko Tembo reaffirmed that mining companies are prohibited from exporting raw minerals, requiring domestic processing to foster employment and community development.