Ajibade Olusesan 
President, Women in Mining, Nigeria (WIMIN) Engr. Janet Adeyemi (PhD), has said a robust implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) could be the catalyst needed to boost mining activities across Africa.
Speaking at the 3rd Annual Gold and Gem Conference Exhibition (GGCE) and the 2nd Africa Gold Jewellery Exhibition Conference (AGJEC) in Lagos, Adeyemi expressed optimism about the future of Africa’s mining sector, noting that the AfCFTA has the potential to remove long-standing trade barriers and create seamless opportunities for cross-border collaboration.
“The AfCFTA is a game-changer for Africa’s mining industry. By breaking down barriers and creating a unified market, we can unlock the immense potential of our mineral resources and drive economic growth that benefits all Africans,” she said.
The conference, which brought together key stakeholders in Africa’s mining, gemstone, and jewellery industries, focused on building value chains that can elevate Africa’s position in the global market.
Adeyemi pointed out that the free trade agreement offers an unprecedented opportunity for African countries to collectively harness their mineral wealth and improve their competitive edge globally.
According to Adeyemi, the integration of Africa’s mining sectors under the AfCFTA will encourage regional cooperation, increase capacity building, and spur industrialization.
“With the free trade area in place, African nations can collaborate more effectively, share expertise, and collectively tackle challenges such as underdevelopment, limited infrastructure, and exploitation by foreign powers,” she noted.
She further stressed that the AfCFTA would not only improve trade within Africa but also promote ethical sourcing and fairer distribution of wealth generated from mining.
“By keeping our wealth within the continent, we can ensure that the benefits of our resources are felt by our people and communities. This will also help to improve transparency, ensure ethical practices, and safeguard our environment,” Adeyemi added.
A key area of discussion was the “Fusion of Jewellery and Fashion,” which Adeyemi described as a powerful driver of economic growth and job creation in Africa. “The integration of fashion and jewellery not only celebrates our diverse cultural heritage but also positions Africa as a global leader in creativity and artistry,” she said.
Adeyemi stressed the crucial role of the African Mining Development Centre (AMDC) in supporting the growth of the gemstone and jewellery sectors, urging collaboration to develop value chains that can elevate Africa’s position in the global market.
Beyond economic growth, the conference aimed to break free from long-standing mental chains of inferiority imposed by colonialism and exploitation. Adeyemi passionately urged Africans to resist the “slavery mentality” that undermines local efforts and glorifies foreign concepts.
“For centuries, we were told that our cultures were primitive, and our ideas inferior. But the chains of the mind must be broken. This conference must be our defining moment,” she declared.
Also speaking at the event, Barrister Adesuwa Don-Princewill, Chairman of the organizing committee, declared that women in Africa’s mining industry are now prepared to take bold initiatives that will shape the future of the sector.
Don-Princewill emphasized the growing influence of women in the mining sector and how they are stepping up to drive innovation, leadership, and change within the industry.
“Women in mining across the continent are now ready to take the initiative and lead in an industry that has long been male-dominated. We are not just participants but key players in creating sustainable value chains and fostering inclusive growth in Africa’s mining sector.
“We are seeing a significant shift as more women are taking up critical roles, from resource extraction to management, policy-making, and even gemstone and jewellery design,” she said.
