Paper short abstract:

This paper seeks to highlight and discuss Africa’s attempts to govern its mineral resources from a continental and regional perspective.

Paper long abstract:

Despite the repeated unsustainable attempts at development, African leaders still strive to work out solutions to African problems with a unified stand. On the continental level, ingenious infrastructural initiatives are taking place. Despite the instability in the North and the Arab Spring, trade to and with Africa has so much potential. Investment is booming for the continent as large quantities of mineral discoveries are made in a considerable number of countries. Is Africa undergoing a renewal? If so, are Africans driving this renewal? Can the continuous and encouraging quantities of minerals bless Africa and its development or will they be the curse of it? This paper seeks to highlight and discuss Africa's attempts to govern its mineral resources from a continental and regional perspective. The paper seeks to interrogate existing African legal and regulatory frameworks that are intended to regulate international trade, investment and extraction, whilst managing Africa's wealth and environment. The aim is to determine whether these frameworks are adequate, and whether they can be utilised to contribute to sustainable development of Africa.