Justina Nelson, Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), has called for increased collaboration, smarter regulation, and catalytic deployment of African capital to unlock Africa’s next wave of mining projects.
Speaking at a CEO Roundtable during the Ministerial Symposium of the African Mining Indaba 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Mrs. Nelson highlighted the gap between available global capital and the continent’s shortage of bankable, investment-ready mining projects, particularly at early stages.
“There is no shortage of capital globally. What Africa needs are de-risked, feasibility-ready projects that investors can confidently support,” she stressed, urging sovereign wealth funds and development finance institutions to take early positions that catalyse private sector investment.
Joined by Yakubu Mohammed, MP for Ahafo Ano South and MIIF Governing Board member, and Kwabena Barning, MIIF’s Chief Technical Officer, the discussion explored innovative financing models, public–private partnerships, and regional integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Mrs. Nelson highlighted the role of institutional investors as strategic co-investors, noting that long-term capital, governance discipline, and credibility from funds like MIIF can improve project bankability and attract global investors. She also emphasised the importance of blended financing, platform investments in shared infrastructure, and transparent digital cadastral systems to reduce risk for exploration and development projects.
Citing Ghana’s reforms, including the removal of VAT on exploration inputs, Mrs. Nelson pointed to regulatory clarity as a key factor in stimulating investment. She encouraged risk-sharing frameworks where governments assume infrastructural and regulatory risks while private investors handle operational and technological execution, noting Ghanaian examples in power infrastructure partnerships that enhanced project bankability.
The MIIF CEO stressed that leveraging African capital, combined with policy reforms, regional integration, and strategic partnerships, is essential for developing scalable and sustainable mining projects that can support the continent’s broader industrialisation agenda.
The Fund’s active participation at the African Mining Indaba 2026 reinforces its commitment to maximising the value of Ghana’s mineral wealth while positioning Africa as a competitive and responsible player in the global mining sector.
