Africa’s Mineral Future Begins in School: WiM-Africa Advances NextGen Programmes

Women in Mining Africa (WiM-Africa) is actively working to shape the future of Africa's natural resource and minerals workforce through its NextGen programmes. The organization recently engaged with the Ministry of Education in Liberia to discuss adapting and potentially integrating these initiatives into the country's educational framework.

This collaboration is part of WiM-Africa's continent-wide effort to equip children and young people for meaningful participation in the solid and critical minerals economy. The organization stresses that Africa's mineral transformation requires more than just focusing on extraction, investment, and export. It necessitates deliberate investment in human capital, including children, youth, teachers, school systems, vocational training, and leadership development.

WiM-Africa's core NextGen programmes include the Future Minerals Leaders Club, aimed at primary school students aged 8-13, which introduces them to natural resources, environmental responsibility, and leadership. The NextGen Mining & Leadership Academy targets secondary and TVET students aged 13-20, focusing on responsible mining practices, geoscience, ESG principles, safety, gender inclusion, and career readiness.

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The future of Africa’s mineral and natural resource economy will not be determined only by what is in the ground. It will be determined by what is built in the minds of children and young people today.

Dr. Comfort Asokoro-Ogaji, Executive Director of WiM-Africa, highlighted the critical need to prepare the future minerals workforce early. "The future of Africa’s mineral and natural resource economy will not be determined only by what is in the ground. It will be determined by what is built in the minds of children and young people today," she stated. Asokoro-Ogaji emphasized that Ministries of Education play a foundational role, asserting, "It is foundational. Africa must begin earlier, from primary school, secondary school, TVET, mentorship, school clubs and structured leadership exposure."

The NextGen programmes are designed to be adaptable across African nations and complement existing educational priorities. WiM-Africa aims to integrate these initiatives into areas such as school clubs, STEM promotion, and TVET readiness, fostering environmental responsibility and leadership from a young age.

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The Ministry of Education is not peripheral to mining transformation. It is foundational. Africa must begin earlier, from primary school, secondary school, TVET, mentorship, school clubs and structured leadership exposure.