AFROSAI-E and WGEI Join Forces to Champion Accountability in Critical Mineral Governance
Livingstone, Zambia — A powerful call for responsible, transparent, and citizen-focused mining governance echoed through the halls of the 2025 AFROSAI-E Extractive Industries Workshop and INTOSAI Working Group on Audit of Extractive Industries (WGEI) Steering Committee Meeting. Held jointly in Livingstone from 15 to 18 July, the event brought together Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs), oversight bodies, civil society, and international partners to confront one of the most pressing issues of our time: how to future-proof mining for the benefit of citizens.
The Urgency of Now: Critical Minerals and Public Value
With the global race for critical and conflict minerals accelerating, Africa stands at a crucial crossroads. The theme, The Role of SAIs in Future-Proofing Critical Minerals for the Benefit of Citizens, tackled four priority areas:
- Maximising returns from critical and conflict minerals to create wealth and national security.
- Prioritising peace, health, and safety in the mining industry.
- Investing in mining infrastructure and technology for efficiency and sustainability.
Ensuring community participation in the energy transition and decision-making.
Each topic drew robust discussion and insights on how SAIs can play a transformative role in ensuring that mineral wealth benefits people, not just profits.
A Call from the Top: “Are We Getting What We Should?”
In his keynote message, delivered by Minister of Mines Hon. Paul Kabuswe, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema posed the critical question: “Are we getting what we should from the extractive industries?” The President’s message underscored the government’s commitment to increasing copper production while ensuring the sector delivers real value to its citizens.
Other notable opening session speakers included:
- Dr. Ron Mwambwa, Zambia’s Acting Auditor General, emphasised the role of SAIs in promoting peace and accountability.
- Mr. Augusto Nardes, Minister of Brazil’s Federal Court of Auditors, spoke on the importance of good governance and oversight in mining.
- Mr. Edward Akol, Auditor General of Uganda and WGEI Chairperson, highlighted the critical watchdog role SAIs play in ensuring sustainable development.
- Ms. Meisi Nkau, CEO of AFROSAI-E, represented by Ms. Josephine Mukomba, reaffirmed the event’s growing influence as a platform for shaping policy reform across the region.
Dynamic Dialogue: Panels, Parliament, and Participation
A standout panel discussion brought together voices from civil society, audit institutions, and policymakers to explore how Africa’s mineral wealth can be transformed into real public value.
Panellists called for more transparency, responsible resource management, and inclusive policymaking.
Hon. Warren Mwambazi, Chairperson of Zambia’s Public Accounts Committee, urged bold reforms in resource governance. He emphasised the need to empower SAIs and parliaments to deliver stronger oversight:
“If we can’t measure it, then we can’t manage it.”
His remarks reinforced a growing recognition that meaningful accountability requires both technical capacity and political will.
WGEI Steering Committee: Looking Ahead
The WGEI Annual Steering Committee Meeting, which started on 17 July, focused on reviewing the progress of current activities and shaping the group’s future direction. Mr. Edward Akol called on members to reaffirm their commitment to WGEI’s goals and approved a new stakeholder engagement strategy and forward work plan.
A Shared Commitment to Responsible Mining
As the event draws to a close, one message rings clear: Africa’s future in mining must be grounded in transparency, sustainability, and citizen benefit. SAIs are not just observers — they are key
actors in ensuring that the continent’s mineral wealth drives equitable development and long-term public value.
AFROSAI-E extends its sincere gratitude to SAI Zambia for hosting this impactful event and reaffirming our collective commitment to strengthening oversight in the extractive industries.
