SADC Nations Urged to Develop Mineral Value Chains
Experts at a recent symposium called for regional strategies to capture greater economic value from raw mineral exports.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Jewelry Making
Live Poll
Should resource-rich nations prioritize building domestic manufacturing industries over exporting raw mineral resources?
At the recent MSU-SADC ASM Mining Symposium, leader Dosman Mangisi encouraged governments across the SADC region to move beyond exporting raw materials. The call aims to address a systemic issue where nations possess vast mineral deposits but capture limited economic returns.
Why it matters
Many regional economies rely heavily on raw exports, often leading to a paradoxical situation where countries import finished goods made from their own raw resources. Developing regional value chains could help nations retain more profit and foster local industrial growth.
SADC nations currently possess significant mineral deposits, including gold, diamonds, and copper. Despite these holdings, countries like Zambia continue to import finished products like copper wire from abroad.
The players
Dosman Mangisi
He is an industry leader who urged SADC governments to focus on regional mineral value chain development.
Midlands State University
This educational institution located in Gweru served as the host site for the mining symposium.
The details
The symposium gathered a wide range of stakeholders, including financiers, policymakers, academics, and miners, to discuss capacity building and supply chain development. Participants highlighted Botswana's diamond-dependent economy and Zimbabwe's gold exports as focal points for how mining currently anchors regional economies.
Timeline
The MSU-SADC ASM Mining Symposium took place from September 23 to 25, 2026, in Gweru.
Culture Shift
This move represents a departure from the historical model of raw material exportation that has long defined the SADC region's economic output. It signals a shift toward local industrialization and the desire to retain economic value within regional borders.
While policy changes may take time, efforts to refine minerals locally could eventually change the supply chain for raw materials used in crafts and jewelry. For now, the focus remains on macro-level government and industry capacity building.
The takeaway
The push to develop regional mineral value chains suggests a future where resource-rich nations aim to become manufacturing hubs rather than just suppliers. For observers, this indicates a potential evolution in how raw materials for industries like jewelry are sourced and processed.
Further reading
Learn more about the processes and economic impacts of sourcing materials in the Jewelry Making section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mining Zimbabwe.
Live Poll
Should resource-rich nations prioritize building domestic manufacturing industries over exporting raw mineral resources?
