African First Ladies Endorse $150M Plan to Elevate Women in Mining

By Braley Riviera

In a landmark move to reshape gender dynamics in Africa’s mineral sector, African First Ladies have endorsed a $150 million five-year action plan spearheaded by Women in Mining Africa (WiM-Africa). The initiative, unveiled during the 2025–2030 Action Plan Validation Webinar, is designed to transition women in mining from “survival to significance” through targeted empowerment, policy reform, and inclusive development.

Themed “Empowering Women, Safeguarding Children, Transforming Mining, Shaping the Future,” the webinar brought together high-level stakeholders to validate a roadmap that places women and mining host communities at the heart of Africa’s extractive future.

Mrs Comfort Asokoro-Ogaji, Executive Director of WiM-Africa, described the plan as a strategic blueprint for capacity building, economic inclusion, and sustainable development. She emphasized that despite Africa’s vast mineral wealth—nearly a third of the global total—women remain largely excluded from meaningful participation in the mining value chain.

A Seven-Point Agenda for Inclusive Growth

The WiM-Africa action plan will be implemented across seven key pillars:
• Women-led mineral value addition
• Establishment of women-only mining zones and cooperatives
• Environmental and climate resilience strategies

• Legal and policy support for women in mining
• Youth inclusion and mentorship
• Research and digital innovation
• Regional beneficiation and cross-border collaboration

These pillars aim to build a more equitable and resilient mining sector, while fostering leadership, entrepreneurship, and community transformation.

WiM-Africa’s broader advocacy efforts have already facilitated over $500 million in opportunities for women miners and leaders, with grassroots chapters expanding across the continent to ensure local impact.