The African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) will be hosting the second Africa Gemstone, Jewellery Exhibition and Conference (AGJEC) 2024 under the theme, “Empowering African women in gemstone and jewellery value chains – breaking barriers, building futures and capacity in the African Union year of Education”

September 24-28, 2024

Location : Ecobank Pan African Center ,Lagos, Nigeria

Arrangement type : In-Person

Contact : Caroline Obure

Africa is renowned for its rich deposits of colored gemstones, with countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zambia harboring gems that are highly coveted in the international jewelry market. Despite the presence of these valuable resources, the primary beneficiaries are not the African countries or the artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM), many of whom are women. These miners often lack market knowledge and the skills needed in gemstone grading, cutting, and polishing, leading to significant value loss as rough stones are sold at minimal prices to brokers.

The Africa Mining Vision (AMV), adopted in 2009, outlines a blueprint for the sustainable and inclusive development of the continent’s mineral resources. It emphasizes local value addition to maximize the sector's impact on social and economic transformation. This is in line with global consumer trends that increasingly demand jewelry made from ethically sourced gemstones. Furthermore, Western countries are requiring their businesses to engage with responsibly sourced minerals, which encourages jewelry designers to seek direct connections with local miners to verify the origins of their gemstones.

Local brokers and dealers have tried to tackle supply chain challenges by organizing gem fairs and attending international events, though these efforts are often uncoordinated and modest. The trade dividends from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are promising, but to fully benefit, African countries need to integrate ethical sourcing practices into their mineral governance frameworks. This includes working on cross-border initiatives and harmonizing regulations to safeguard human rights, prevent environmental degradation, and eliminate child labor.

The Africa Gemstone, Jewellery Exhibition and Conference (AGJEC) is designed to tackle industry challenges by providing a platform where stakeholders can engage in policy discussions and explore practical initiatives for responsible sourcing and local value addition. AGJEC also serves as a marketplace for women miners and traders to showcase their gemstones and jewellery directly to local, regional, and international buyers. In addition to the exhibition, the conference will cover a wide range of topics related to gemstone mining and supply chain dynamics, featuring speakers from diverse sectors and regions to inform policymaking and business strategies. Event highlights include technical training workshops aligned with the African Union’s 2024 theme of "Education," a gem-cutting competition to showcase and reward industry talent, and a networking event combined with a fashion show featuring Made-in-Africa jewellery.