(JUBA) – South Sudan has formally joined the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) following the signing of a ratification instrument by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Monday Semaya Kumba, on 17 October 2025 in Juba.
The move places South Sudan among nations working to promote responsible and sustainable mineral development across the continent.
According to the Ministry’s official announcement, the ratification is seen as an important step towards improving national mineral governance, encouraging investment and creating new employment opportunities in the mining sector.
South Sudan has several mineral deposits, including gold and limestone, but development has remained slow due to infrastructure and regulatory challenges.
The Africa Minerals Strategy Group now consists of 17 member states. These include Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, Nigeria, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau, Malawi, Kenya, Liberia, Somalia, Burundi, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
Membership is open to African governments that support sustainable resource use, transparent licensing and improved value addition.
Officials say South Sudan’s entry is expected to support its efforts to diversify the economy beyond oil, which has long been the country’s primary revenue source.
According to a statement from the ICT Ministry, the government aims to develop policies that encourage responsible mining, promote community benefits and reduce the export of unprocessed minerals.
Member Countries of AMSG
| Region | Member Countries |
|---|---|
| East Africa | South Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia, Burundi |
| Southern Africa | Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe |
| Central Africa | Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad |
| West Africa | Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea Bissau |
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said South Sudan will now take part in technical discussions and working groups focused on improving legal frameworks, boosting local processing, and strengthening environmental safeguards in mineral extraction.
Government officials also stated that joining AMSG will help attract new partnerships in geological mapping, investment financing, research and technology exchange.
According to the Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Ministry, the decision also aligns with ongoing plans to modernise extractive industry oversight and ensure that communities in mineral producing regions benefit from future development.
Further engagement with the group is expected in the coming months, including participation in regional planning sessions and training programmes.