President of Africa's biggest gold-producing nation vows to end raw mineral exports within four years

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his government's commitment to end exports of unprocessed minerals by 2030, insisting that Africa's largest gold producer must stop shipping its natural resources abroad only to import finished products made from the same materials.

• President John Mahama has committed to ending Ghana's exports of unprocessed minerals by 2030 to boost domestic industrialization.
• A phased ban on raw exports of minerals like bauxite, manganese, iron, and lithium will be implemented, with tailored legal measures.
• This initiative is part of the broader Accra Reset agenda, strengthening Ghanaian control over natural resources and focusing on sustainable industrial growth and employment.
• Investors will be obligated to support domestic processing, and the government will invest in infrastructure, skills, and financing to enable this shift.

Addressing the 2026 Mining in Motion Summit in Accra on October 19, Mahama outlined plans to end raw exports of bauxite, manganese, iron and lithium within four years to boost local industries, create jobs and retain more mineral wealth.

"I have set a clear goal that by 2030, raw mineral ores should no longer leave our shores. Our alumina, manganese, iron, lithium and other minerals must support processing and industrial development here at home," Mahama declared.

The president said Ghana could no longer sustain an economic model that benefits foreign manufacturers while denying its own industries opportunities for growth.

"For generations, ships have departed from Ghana's ports, carrying Ghanaian manganese and bauxite. Much of these materials has supplied industries in other parts of the world, while we have imported the finished products made from these mineral ores," he said.

Mahama argued that the longstanding arrangement had cost Ghana opportunities to develop factories, create skilled employment and acquire industrial technology, despite the country's vast mineral deposits.

Ghana outlines phased ban on raw mineral exports

To achieve the 2030 target, Mahama said his administration would introduce restrictions gradually, with legal provisions and processing requirements tailored to individual minerals.

"We will pursue a phased prohibition on exports of unprocessed ores, supported by the necessary legal measures, mineral-specific requirements and transparent implementation timetables," he said.

The president cited Ghana's existing ban on exports of iron scrap and non-ferrous metals as evidence of the government's commitment to retaining more value from its resources.

Under the proposed policy, mining investors will face obligations to support domestic processing rather than export minerals in their raw form.

"Investors must understand the processing obligations associated with access to our resources. Government must help secure the infrastructure, skills and financing required for competitive local production," Mahama said.

The government plans to expand mineral processing facilities and link them to industries producing aluminium products, steel, electric cables, batteries and other manufactured goods.

Mahama said the strategy would create opportunities beyond mining, including equipment maintenance, fabrication, laboratory services, software development and recycling.

"Processing opens the door to wider industrial development. African copper can supply cable manufacturers. Aluminium can support power systems. Steel can serve our railways, construction and mining industries," he said.

He also urged universities and technical institutions to work with mining companies to develop the expertise required for domestic manufacturing.

Ghana seeks greater control over its mineral wealth

The proposed restrictions form part of Mahama's Accra Reset agenda, which seeks to strengthen African control over natural resources and promote industrial growth.

"The ultimate objective of the Accra Reset is to affirm that our people must have greater control over the decisions and productive capabilities that shape their future," Mahama said.

As Africa's largest gold producer, Ghana seeks to expand domestic mineral processing, particularly in gold refining, aluminium and steel production, to reduce reliance on foreign industries.

However, Mahama stressed that meeting the 2030 target would require reliable electricity, better infrastructure, skilled workers and investment.