In a digital press briefing held at the 2024 Investing in Africa Mining Indaba Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez emphasised the United States’ energy policy, priorities, and its deepening engagement with the African mining sector.
Under Secretary Fernandez commended the progress made since his previous visits to the Mining Indaba over the past three years. Notably, he highlighted the expansion and diversification of critical mineral supply chains, underscoring the importance of the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP). The MSP, aimed at bolstering critical mineral supply chains, has grown to include 14 partner governments, now representing over 50 percent of the global GDP.
Announcing concrete accomplishments, Under Secretary Fernandez revealed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Gécamines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and JOGMEC, Japan’s Organisation for Metals and Energy Security.
This agreement is set to expedite European and Japanese investment in the DRC’s mining sector, demonstrating the MSP’s efforts to secure and diversify critical mineral supply chains.
Furthermore, he outlined various projects facilitated through the MSP, including USAID’s approved loan to Twigg Exploration and Mining for a graphite mining operation in Mozambique, highlighting the commitment to sustainable mineral resource development and economic growth.
Under Secretary Fernandez stressed the U.S. government’s dedication to strengthening technical capacity and legal regulatory frameworks in African countries through initiatives like the Energy and Mineral Governance Programme. He announced a new partnership with Finland to enhance capacity building for mineral sector governance in Africa.
Addressing questions from journalists, Under Secretary Fernandez reiterated the U.S.’s commitment to supporting local transformation of minerals in Africa, emphasising the benefits of value-added production in creating jobs and fostering sustainable economic growth.
He highlighted the role of the private sector in meeting the critical minerals challenge, noting partnerships like MINVEST aimed at promoting public-private dialogue and investment in strategic mining, processing, and recycling opportunities adhering to high environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.
In conclusion, Under Secretary Fernandez underscored the enduring partnership between the U.S. and African nations, spanning commercial, political, and people-to-people ties.
He affirmed the U.S.’s commitment to continuing engagement with Africa, promoting trade, development aid, and cooperation across various sectors.
The digital press briefing concluded with a recording and transcript to be distributed to participating journalists, marking another milestone in the ongoing dialogue between the U.S. and Africa on the importance of the mining sector for economic development and global supply chain resilience.
