Lodged in the heart of East Africa lies a country rich in mineral resources, yet largely untapped. Kenya’s mineral industry has remained a hidden treasure trove waiting to be discovered, with most of its mineral wealth still underground. However, in recent years, the government of Kenya as well as industry stakeholders, have taken bold steps to unlock the sector’s potential and drive economic growth.
From titanium to gold, coal, iron ore, rare earth minerals, and gemstones, Kenya has a wide array of mineral resources waiting to be explored. According to the Kenya Chamber of Mines, the country has the potential to become a regional hub for mineral exploration, extraction, and processing. To achieve this vision, greater emphasis has been placed on the State Department for Mining to oversee the sector’s growth and development.
Despite the sector’s potential, there are a few challenges facing the mining industry in Kenya. Lack of adequate infrastructure is one of the biggest challenges, with most of the country’s mineral deposits located in remote areas that are difficult to access. Secondly, access to financing has been a significant challenge facing Kenya’s mineral industry, particularly for small and medium-sized mining enterprises. With inadequate financing, exploration activities become arduous as mining companies, particularly small-scale and artisanal miners, struggle to acquire equipment, and invest in new technologies that could improve efficiency and reduce operating costs.
Further to this, is the scourge of illegal mining, where minerals are extracted without the necessary licenses and permits, or where mining takes place in environmentally sensitive areas that are strictly off limits to mining activities. Illegal mining has its all-round challenges as it puts lives in danger, holds back key revenues from the government to further develop the sector, and generally makes the industry a hit or miss sector.
Despite these challenges, the mining industry in Kenya has great potential to contribute to propel Kenya’s economic growth. According to a report by the Kenya Chamber of Mines, the sector has the potential to contribute up to 10% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in the next 10 years, up from the current contribution of less than 1%.
The opportunities for doing business in Kenya, in the mining sector, remain tremendous. With an exceptionally fast developing, and favourable business environment, the ease of doing business in Kenya has greatly improved over the past couple of years, as the government has and continues to intentionally remove barriers to trade through eliminating bureaucratic hurdles, introducing tax incentives, enacting legislation geared towards local value addition and establishing one-stop frameworks for foreign investors to invest locally.
Overall, the mineral industry in Kenya has vast potential for growth and development, and the government’s commitment to unlocking this potential is encouraging. With the right policies, investments, and partnerships, Kenya’s mineral industry can become a significant contributor to the country’s economy and a regional hub for mining. It’s time for investors and businesses to explore the untapped potential of Kenya’s mineral industry and be a part of its journey to success.