Egypt, Malawi, Mauritania and Zambia launched mining cooperation partnerships with the World Bank Group in Bangkok on Friday, 16 October, aimed at attracting investment and developing local activities linked to minerals. They are among the eight governments that announced the partnerships, according to a statement from the institution.
Across the world, the group aims to provide 19 billion dollars in support for the metals and minerals sector over fiscal years 2026 to 2030, combining its own financing with the mobilisation of private capital. Reuters reports that this plan follows 3.6 billion dollars of financing over fiscal years 2021 to 2025.
Egypt aims for minerals to contribute 6% of gross domestic product by 2030. Zambia, for its part, has a target of three million tonnes of copper produced per year by 2031, alongside the development of local processing industries.
In Mauritania, the framework aims to combine mineral resources and renewable energy potential to develop low-emission value chains. The Mauritanian partnership provides for a steering committee in November 2026 and validation of a multi-year roadmap in 2027. In Malawi, priorities include transparency of licences and revenues, as well as energy and transport infrastructure.
The partnerships set out priorities and commitments on reforms, infrastructure and skills. The World Bank intends to provide advice and public financing, while the International Finance Corporation is to invest and mobilise private capital. The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency is to offer guarantees against risks.