Women in Mining Africa Expands Grassroots Chapter Network Across the Continent

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

In a bold move to deepen grassroots participation and gender equity in Africa’s extractive industries, Women in Mining Africa (WiM-Africa) is expanding its chapter network across the continent, connecting artisanal miners, students, civil society actors, and youth leaders under a unified platform for inclusive mining transformation.

Now operational in more than 36 African countries, WiM-Africa’s national and community-based chapters are increasingly shaping local engagement in the mining sector—from dusty artisanal pits to high-level policy platforms. The chapters serve as decentralized hubs where women miners, cooperatives, and professionals collaborate with allies to champion ethical, safe, and accountable mining practices.

With a strong focus on youth leadership, mineral value addition, ESG standards, digital advocacy, and safety, the chapter model is not only advancing WiM-Africa’s Seven-Point Program Agenda but also bridging the gap between continental policy goals and local realities. In countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, and Namibia, chapters have already begun implementing programmes that promote safer working conditions, empower women-led cooperatives, and strengthen governance structures at the community level.

Dr. Comfort Asokoro-Ogaji, Executive Director of WiM-Africa, described the chapter movement as “a decentralised force for change that ignites local action and brings thousands of women and allies across borders into the same conversation on mining justice.”

“The strength of our chapter network lies in its ability to translate continental frameworks like Agenda 2063 and AfCFTA into practical, grassroots-based impact,” she said. “We are seeing women and youth step into leadership roles, not just as participants in the mining economy, but as co-creators of its future.”

Diaspora chapters are also emerging as strategic entry points for trade, investment, and knowledge exchange, linking global expertise with community-driven innovation in Africa’s mineral landscape. These overseas chapters are connecting African professionals abroad to domestic value chains, enabling collaboration on technology transfer, business partnerships, and capacity building.

In a further bid to foster inclusivity, WiM-Africa is also rolling out Men Allyship Chapters—structured platforms composed of up to 80% male membership, aimed at encouraging co-leadership, safe workplace cultures, and male advocacy for gender equity in mining.

“True transformation is not possible without allyship,” Dr. Asokoro-Ogaji added. “Our Men Allyship Chapters are designed to bring men into the conversation as active partners—not bystanders—in building a just and inclusive mining sector.”

To maintain integrity and impact, WiM-Africa enforces clear governance standards, gender balance protocols, and ethical reporting requirements for its chapters. Newly approved chapters receive structured orientation, toolkits, and access to joint campaigns, ensuring consistency across the continent.

With momentum building and new chapters launching regularly—including in the diaspora—the organization is calling on women, men, and young professionals across Africa to take up leadership by forming chapters or linking up with national coordinators. As the network grows, so too does the collective voice of Africa’s women in mining—demanding accountability, driving innovation, and shaping the continent’s mineral future from the ground up.