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Morocco Urges Africa to Adopt Sustainable, Transparent Mining Framework for Growth

Social Responsibility

Business Hon - Morocco Calls for Africa’s Mining Transparency

Business Honor
12 September, 2025

Morocco promotes ESG-focused mining policies, regional cooperation, and value-added resource development across Africa.

During the Mauritanid Energy and Mining Conference in Nouakchott, Morocco urged African countries to adopt a common mining framework that prioritizes environment, social, and governance (ESG) considerations. Morocco's Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, emphasized the need for a sustainable and transparent continental mining policy. She said the framework would be uniquely crafted for Africa and made to suit the special demands and challenges facing the continent.

Benali noted that existing mining models, usually driven by economic models of other parts of the world, do not suit the unique situation in Africa. The new model is intended to equip African governments and mining firms with the means to finance the extraction, transport, and environmentally sustainable use of natural resources for the continent's economies and people alike. Alongside the new mining model, Benali also underlined Morocco's actions toward enhancing mining transparency and sustainability. These include the "Origin-Transit-Certification" (OTC) program, which incorporates ESG criteria and strives to enhance the traceability of rare minerals mined in Africa. The program was also supported by African mining ministers to counter the issues of extracting and processing minerals.

Efforts by Morocco extend beyond policy. Morocco is pioneering regional cooperation through the Royal Atlantic Initiative, which links a number of Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean through Morocco. The project will ensure minerals extracted along this corridor are produced with high governance and environmental quality.Benali concluded that Morocco is moving away from a raw material export paradigm to one of value addition to resources and deeper integration into global value chains, especially in energy and technology industries. This holistic approach to mining reflects Morocco's focus on social responsibility, whereby both the environment and host communities are prioritized in the extraction of resources.