N’DJAMENA, CHAD – In a significant step toward transforming Africa’s extractive sector, H.E. Francisca Tatchouop Belobe, AU Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry, and Minerals (ETTIM), held a high-level strategic meeting with the Vice President of the Economic and Financial Commission (CAEF) of the National Assembly of Chad, Hon. Djividi Boukar Dibeing.

The engagement focused on the urgent ratification of the Statute establishing the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC). As the primary parliamentary body responsible for examining international instruments with economic implications, the CAEF expressed its full readiness to facilitate the legislative process. This partnership is viewed as indispensable for ensuring that the AMDC Statute is informed by its continental purpose and its direct relevance to African Union integration priorities.

The AU Commissioner underscored that the AMDC is a vital mechanism for policy harmonization and institutional coordination across Member States. "Engaging with the National Assembly ensures that the AMDC is recognized not just as a legal instrument, but as a technical platform designed to support regional value-chain development and the responsible exploitation of critical minerals," stated H.E. Francisca Tatchouop Belobe.

Chad holds a strategic position in this continental movement. As one of the first signatory States and a nation with a burgeoning extractive profile—ranging from established hydrocarbon production to significant prospects in uranium, antimony, and rare earth elements—Chad is uniquely positioned to lead the ratification momentum.

By securing parliamentary ownership through the CAEF, the ETTIM Department aims to align the AMDC’s objectives with Agenda 2063 and the Africa Mining Vision. This collaboration ensures that mineral governance in Chad and across the Sahel is situated within a broader framework of Africa-wide industrialization, structural transformation, and long-term economic sovereignty.

About African Minerals Development Centre

The main objectives of the Centre is  to coordinate and oversee the implementation of the Africa Mining Vision and its Action plan to enable the minerals resource sector play its role in the social and economic transformation, inclusive growth and sustainable development of African economies, in conjunction with Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the private sector, civil society organizations including women and youth organizations, collaborating institutions and other key stakeholders. The Statute establishing the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) was adopted by the Twenty-Sixth Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly in January 2016 (Assembly/AU/Dec.589(XXVI)). As of January 2025, four Member States (Guinea, Mali, Zambia and Nigeria), had ratified the Statute and eight member states have signed, include

Chad, Comoros, Ghana, Mauritania, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Togo. The Assembly further urged the AU Member States to expedite the ratifications of its Statute. A minimum of fifteen (15) ratifications are required for entry into force of the Statute and full operationalization of the Centre.

For further information, please contact:

Mr. John Magok Nhial | Mineral Resources Development Expert | Directorate of Industry, Minerals, Entrepreneurship and Minerals | African Union Commission | E-mail: NhialJ@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Media Contact: Ms. Meaza Tezera | Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals | African Union Commission | E-mail Meazat@africanunion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia