African Countries Seek Indian Investment in Mining, Beneficiation

Ministers and government officials from a number of African countries have invited Indians to invest in their countries’ mineral mining, but added that they would much prefer that the mined goods would remain in Africa during the manufacturing stage.

The African and Indian representatives met at the fourth India-Africa business conclave in Delhi, a forum that promotes commercial ties between the two.

"If people see raw materials being taken away, then they are upset. But if they see a finished product and experience increased employment that will make them happier,” Congo’s director general of the National Agency for Promotion of Investments, Bwabwa Wa Keyembe, said.

“We want Indian firms to exploit resources in a rational manner,” Keyembe noted, according to Sify. “We want it to be advantageous to both the countries.”

Muss Usman, deputy director of CPI-Investment Promotion Centre in Mozambique, said during his presentation, “I want to tell you there is more room for Indian firms in Mozambique,” describing mining opportunities in diamonds, copper and nickel.

Another area of possible collaboration that was discussed was training, with African participants saying that they looked toward India for this. Both Keyembe and Zambian Commerce Minister Felix C. Mutati said that it was important for Africa to take advantage of India’s investment in training.