On March 12, 2025, H.E Moses Micheal Engadu, Secretary-General of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), participated and addressed the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) Traceability Workshop, held from 11:00-13:00 Arabian Standard Time. The workshop, which took place both in-person and online, aimed to develop a comprehensive scope and roadmap for the implementation of a traceability pilot project in Africa’s Copperbelt.
Key Highlights of the Workshop
The FMF Traceability Workshop brought together key stakeholders from across the mining and sustainability sectors, including representatives from the AMSG, OECD, ICMM, UNEP, and other notable organizations. The session was expertly facilitated by Aldo Pennini, FMF Director of Strategy, Program, and Content.
The workshop focused on several critical aspects for the successful implementation of the traceability system, with a special emphasis on developing a robust framework for Africa’s Copperbelt. The key areas covered included:
- Overview of FMF Critical Minerals Framework: The session began with an overview of the FMF critical minerals framework and the outcomes from FMF25. This served as a foundation for discussions on how traceability could be integrated into the African mining ecosystem.
- Scope Definition: The workshop participants discussed key questions such as:
- What elements of the supply chain need to be traced?
- What are the current challenges and opportunities?
- How can traceability be implemented effectively?
- What infrastructure and capabilities are needed to support the system?
- Roadmap Development: A roadmap for the traceability pilot project was presented, with the following phases outlined:
- Phase 1: Engagement and Framework (H1 2025): Initial steps to set up a multi-stakeholder Advisory Group, and define frameworks, standards, and priorities for responsible supply.
- Phase 2: Platform Design and Capacity Building (Q3 2025): This phase will focus on designing the traceability platform, establishing a governance structure, and securing commitments for people, funding, and technology.
- Phase 3: Pilot Announcement and Implementation (Q4 2025): This will mark the start of the pilot phase, with an achievable prioritization plan for the years 2025 and 2026.
AMSG’s Role and Commitment
During the session, AMSG Secretary-General H.E Moses Micheal Engadu highlighted the strategic importance of the traceability project for the African mining sector. He emphasized the critical role of collaboration between governments, industry players, and civil society to ensure that Africa’s mineral resources are mined and traded responsibly, transparently, and sustainably. The traceability pilot in the Copperbelt represents a significant step toward establishing a responsible supply chain that benefits both the continent and global stakeholders. The AMSG Madini Blockchain Platform and its utility ERC-20 Africa Mineral Token that have been adopted by AMSG Member States will be used to implement the FMF pilot project on traceability and certification in the African copperbelt. Find more information about The Madini Blockchain and Africa Mineral Token at https://madini.io/.
H.E Engadu further reaffirmed AMSG’s commitment to supporting the development of a traceability framework that aligns with international standards and promotes the responsible sourcing of critical minerals in Africa.
Looking Ahead
As the traceability pilot project progresses, the FMF and AMSG will continue to collaborate closely with stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the system in Africa’s Copperbelt and beyond. The work done during this workshop marks a significant milestone in achieving AMSG’s vision for a transparent, responsible, and sustainable minerals supply chain in Africa.
For more information about the traceability project and AMSG’s ongoing initiatives, please contact H.E Moses Micheal Engadu, Secretary-General of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group, at [email protected]
