Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The National Assembly has approved The Gambia’s membership in the African Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), a move aimed at strengthening the country’s ability to manage its mineral resources and benefit from continent-wide cooperation.
Presenting the motion before lawmakers, the minister for Petroleum and Energy, Hon. Nani Juwara, said that although The Gambia’s mining sector remains largely underdeveloped, joining the AMSG would enable the country to tap into shared technology, expertise, and investment opportunities from other African nations.
“The Gambia has minerals, but our Geological Department currently lacks the capacity to fully explore them,” Hon. Juwara told legislators. “By joining this group, we can learn from other countries, attract investment, and properly map our resources so that the nation and its people can benefit.”
The African Minerals Strategy Group was launched in January 2024 during a conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The initiative seeks to bring African countries together to share knowledge, develop joint policies, and ensure that mineral resources are utilized in a sustainable and equitable manner. It also promotes training, investment, and value addition, encouraging countries to process minerals locally rather than export them in raw form.
Lawmakers welcomed the motion, noting that the move could help safeguard The Gambia’s mineral resources, create jobs, and ensure that local communities derive greater benefits from the sector.
The Majority Leader and Member for Kantora said the initiative would help prevent The Gambia from remaining merely a source of raw minerals while missing out on the economic gains associated with processing and value addition.
Some members also sought clarification on the country’s financial obligations and mechanisms for dispute resolution within the group. In response, the Hon. Juwara explained that The Gambia would contribute an annual membership fee of $10,000, while additional support would come through partnerships with countries such as Saudi Arabia.
He further noted that The Gambia currently exports minerals including zircon, aluminite, and rutile in raw form but expressed hope that membership in the group would help the country develop the capacity to process these resources locally.
“This presents an opportunity for The Gambia to collaborate with other African nations, exchange knowledge, and ensure that our people benefit from our natural resources,” the Member for Foni-Jarol said during the debate.
The motion was subsequently approved by the Assembly, marking a significant step for The Gambia in strengthening mineral exploration, promoting economic growth, and deepening regional cooperation.
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