Africa has high expectations of the African Minerals Development Centre - Mozambique
Maputo, 17 December: Africa has high expectations of the Africa Mineral Resource Centre (AMDC).
Speaking when she launched the AMDC in
Maputo Mozambique at an event held during the third Ordinary Session of the African Union, Conference of African Ministers Responsible for Mineral Resources Development, Hon Minister of Mines for the Republic of Mozambique, Ms
Esperanza Biaz said Africa was proud of the AMDC and held high expectations.
“We are very proud tonight as Africans, AMDC is an African institution, conceived and owned by Africans to help us bring development to our continent through our mineral wealth.
She urged African member states to utilise the expertise and facilities to be provided by the centre.
Meanwhile, Africa Development Bank Country Representative for Mozambique, Joseph Ribeiro said the African Mining Vision offer a unifying framework, fully owned by African countries to shape policy in a n integrated manner. “The AMV has unique characteristics that make it a privileged vehicle to transform mining wealth into development outcomes in this continent.” he said.
Riberto called for better stewardship of natural resources which will power Africa’s economic
transformation arguing that Africa had now stronger and more accountable institutions than a decade ago and there was a window of opportunity to address the gaps in governance and economic
management. “ If these gaps are addressed Africa can become a ‘resource tiger’ driving growth for the
next centaury”
The AFDB estimates that Africa’s mining potential at USD30Billion by 2030. AFDB is an implementing partner of the AMV together with the Economic Commission for Africa, African Union and UNDP- Bureau for Africa.
The AMDC is funded with generous support from the Governments of Canada and Australia.
Speaking on behalf of the Canadian Government, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International development, Ms Lois Brown said her Government decided to fund the centre to the tune of USD15.3million to support Africa’s vision to develop natural resources in a responsible and sustainable way that benefits all citizens especially those living in poverty.
She said that apart from funding, Canada and Australia had a lot to offer to the center bringing their experience and expertise based on their success in mining.
She said that both countries owed their economic growth to extractive industries “We know that responsibly managed extractive sectors can transform economies, leading to diversification and more high-quality jobs in the formal economy. Increased revenues from the sector could help pay for public services such as health care and education which can lift the most vulnerable out of poverty”. She said.
Ms Brown called for greater and inclusive participation in the extractive sector arguing that the success of the center and its vision could only benefit the continent if they are owned by, and engaged with all the stakeholders that have come together to establish them.
She called the AMV’s business plan as ambitious and wished the AMDC success.
Source URL: http://www.uneca.org/media-centre/stories/africa-has-high-expectations-african- minerals-development-centre-mozambique
