Ghana plans to end exports of unprocessed mineral ores by 2030 as President John Dramani Mahama seeks to accelerate industrialisation, create jobs and retain more economic value from the country’s mineral resources.
Speaking at the Mining in Motion Summit in Accra on October 19, 2026, Mahama announced plans to introduce a phased prohibition on raw mineral exports, supported by legislation, mineral-specific requirements and clear implementation timelines.
The proposed measures will cover resources including bauxite, manganese, iron and lithium, which the government wants to see processed domestically rather than shipped abroad in their raw form.
“I’ve set a clear goal that by 2030, raw mineral ores should no longer leave our shores,” Mahama said, stressing that Ghana’s mineral wealth must support local processing and industrial development.
The initiative aims to address a longstanding concern that Ghana exports valuable natural resources but imports finished products manufactured from them, limiting opportunities for domestic manufacturing, technology transfer and skilled employment.
Mahama noted that Ghana had exported manganese and bauxite for generations, supplying industries overseas while missing opportunities to develop a stronger industrial base at home.
Under the proposed policy, investors seeking access to the country’s mineral resources will face clearer obligations to support local processing. The government also plans to establish the infrastructure, skills and financing needed to make domestic mineral industries competitive.
Ghana has already introduced a ban on the export of iron scrap and non-ferrous metals, which the president cited as an example of measures intended to retain valuable materials within the domestic economy.
The broader strategy includes strengthening existing initiatives across the mining value chain. These include developing the bauxite-to-aluminium industry, expanding iron and steel production, advancing manganese processing and increasing domestic gold refining and assaying through the Ghana Gold Board and related policies.
The government also intends to modernise the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) and strengthen links between mineral extraction and manufacturing industries that produce aluminium components, steel products, electrical cables, batteries and other industrial materials.
Mahama said the country’s 24-hour economy agenda could help coordinate production, logistics and industrial services, supporting higher output and creating employment opportunities.
However, achieving the 2030 target will require substantial investment in reliable and affordable energy, transport infrastructure, water supply, technical skills and financing. Domestic processing facilities must be capable of operating efficiently if Ghana is to compete in international markets.
The policy also places emphasis on attracting investors willing to transfer technology, develop local expertise and establish sustainable manufacturing operations rather than focus solely on mineral extraction.
Ghana’s plans reflect a wider African push to capture a greater share of the value generated by the continent’s mineral wealth as global demand for critical minerals grows.
Mahama has urged African countries to strengthen regional cooperation and develop processing and manufacturing industries that allow mineral resources to support economic transformation across the continent.
The success of Ghana’s initiative will depend on how effectively the government translates its commitments into enforceable regulations, operational processing facilities and sustainable employment.
By 2030, the government hopes to establish a system in which the country’s mineral resources serve not only as export commodities but also as foundations for domestic manufacturing, technological development and long-term economic growth.
