As the countdown begins for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 in Morocco, the Southern African region is brimming with hope and anticipation. With a record seven COSAFA teams Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe set to grace the continent’s most prestigious football tournament, the spirit of unity and ambition is palpable. This historic milestone, marking the first time the region will have such a strong representation since the expansion of the tournament from 16 to 24 teams in 2019, is not just about football but it’s about national pride, community aspiration, and the collective hope for a brighter future.
As the spotlight shines on Africa’s sporting prowess, another critical frontier for the continent’s development is taking centre stage which is the Africa Mining Vision (AMV). Launched in 2009, the AMV is a blueprint for transforming Africa’s vast mineral wealth into a catalyst for inclusive growth, industrialization, and sustainable development. It’s a vision that seeks to break free from the colonial legacy of resource extraction that has often left communities impoverished, instead paving the way for a future where mining benefits all Africans.
The stakes are high. Africa’s mining sector is a cornerstone of the continent’s economy, with critical minerals like cobalt, lithium, and others playing a pivotal role in the global energy transition. Between 2019 and 2023, 43 countries worldwide adopted national critical minerals strategies, underscoring the urgency of leveraging these resources effectively. For Africa, this presents both an opportunity and a challenge. Chinese investments in lithium mines across the continent, totalling over $4.5 billion in recent years, highlight the global interest in Africa’s mineral wealth. However, this also raises concerns about equitable benefits and environmental sustainability.
At the heart of the AMV is the recognition that Africa’s mineral resources must be harnessed to create sustainable livelihoods, improve infrastructure, and invest in education, healthcare, and energy. Yet, the path to realizing this vision is fraught with obstacles. Many African countries struggle with misaligned mining policies, implementation gaps, and well-intended but misguided localization policies that fail to account for systemic challenges like inadequate infrastructure and regulatory frameworks.
Zimbabwe, richly endowed with minerals, exemplifies this complex reality. The country’s ambitions to leverage its mineral wealth for growth are hindered by policy gaps, environmental pressures, and the strain that new mining projects place on communities. To truly achieve AMV’s aspirations, a multi-pronged approach is essential one that addresses policy shortcomings, strengthens implementation capacities and prioritizes the unique needs of each nation’s mining sector.
As Africa gears up for AFCON 2025, the continent’s footballers will take to the pitch, carrying the hopes of their nations. Similarly, the success of the Africa Mining Vision will depend on the ability of African leaders to navigate the complexities of resource governance, ensuring that the continent’s mineral wealth translates into tangible benefits for its people. Just as football unites Africans in shared joy and pride, the AMV offers a chance to unite the continent for a common purpose by building a future where resource extraction is not just about profit, but about people.