Policy and licensing: harnessing mineral resources for Africa’s transformation

Abstract

The goal of AMDC’s policy and licensing work is to create a sustainable and well governed mining sector that effectively garners and deploys resource rents and contributes to broad-based growth and development. AMDC’s Policy and licensing work stream was established to address a number of key challenges highlighted in the AMV and related plans. It also responds to relevant issues identified by African Member States. These challenges include the mineral policies and regulatory frameworks of many African mining countries present opportunities for reinforcing a focus on development outcomes. For example, taxation approaches relating to the sector can be better structured to maximize intended development outcomes; Transfer mispricing represents one of the key issues that contribute to African countries missing out on the full benefits of their minerals; Many African countries recognize and endeavor to resolve policy and regulatory deficiencies in the minerals sector. However, the practical application of policy and regulatory improvements is often hampered by challenges in technical government capacity, as well as in the implementation of measures that put these frameworks into practice.