The Women in Mining in Nigeria (WIMIN) said it is backing Africa’s drive to advance its gold and gemstone industry for local development.

 The WIMIN’s National President, Janet Adeyemi, stated this on Sunday in Abuja.

Mrs Adeyemi acknowledged the untapped potential of Africa’s gold and gemstone industry and the various joint initiatives conceived by the region’s policy institute to harness it, including the Africa Gemstone and Jewellery Exhibition and Conference (AGJEC).

 She said that through AGJEC, the Africa Mineral Development Centre (AMDC) aims to accelerate collaboration across member states to drive sustainable development, economic diversification and inclusivity in the gold and gemstone sector.

 According to her, WIMIN convenes the Gold and Gemstone Conference and Exhibition (GGCE) as Nigeria’s flagship contribution to the AGJEC initiative, advancing conversations, partnerships and innovation within Africa’s gold and gemstone industry.

“GGCE serves as a strategic convening platform for governments, investors, women, youth and artisanal miners to shape the future of Africa’s gold and gemstone economy through innovation, sustainability and inclusivity annually,” Mrs Adeyemi said.

 She said GGCE aimed to support the AMDC’s continental value addition agenda through dialogue, partnerships and local implementation frameworks.

Mrs Adeyemi added that it also sought to strengthen Nigeria’s positioning as a regional hub for gold and gemstone beneficiation, as well as build consensus on governance and policy coherence for ethical, transparent and gender responsive mineral value chains.

She said, “The conference aims to equip women, youth, and artisanal miners with skills and market linkages for active participation in the jewellery and gemstone industry. Foster partnerships between public institutions, private investors and international organisations for sustainable mineral sector growth especially UNDP, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation and get the buy- in of SDG office in Nigeria. Promote traceability, transparency, and ESG compliance to enhance Africa’s credibility in global trade.’’

According to her, the 2025 edition of GGCE aims to deepen Africa’s commitment to collaboration, beneficiation, traceability and equitable participation, in line with the Africa Mining Vision (AMV) and AMDC’s mandate for transformative mineral development.

Mrs Adeyemi underscored the importance of transforming Africa’s minerals by strengthening regional cooperation under the AMDC’s beneficiation and value addition agenda.

She stated, “Countries like Nigeria can reposition their mining sectors from raw material suppliers to centres of innovation, craftsmanship, and sustainable trade. Nigeria, with its growing gemstone and gold ecosystem, dynamic youth population, and rising women participation, stands ready to anchor this transformation. Through GGCE 2025, the nation contributes to the AMDC led continental strategy by showcasing local capacity, facilitating regional partnerships, and piloting gender responsive models for Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM).’’

According to Mrs Adeyemi, the 2025 edition of GGCE represents a critical step in actualising the AMV through inclusive beneficiation, innovation and sustainability.

 By aligning with the AMDC and mobilising UNDP and Nigerian ministries, she said, WIMIN through the conference seeks to transform Africa’s mineral narrative from raw exports to refined excellence.

She explained that through this collaboration, Nigeria would amplify its voice in continental mineral governance and inspire a new generation of African women and youth to lead the next frontier of value creation.

Mrs Adeyemi emphasised that the annual conference which began in 2022 focuses on strategic thematic areas including Policy and Governance, Youth Innovation and Digitalisation Women’s Empowerment, Sustainability and ESG, as well as Trade and Market Access.

The 2025 edition themed, “Accelerating Collaboration for Sustainable Gold and Gemstone Development in Africa’ will hold from November 26 to 28 in Lagos.

(NAN)