ACCRA, April 28, 2026 — The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights will convene its 5th Regional Forum on Extractive Industries, Business and Human Rights, and Environment in Africa from May 5 to 6 in Dakar, as stakeholders across the continent grapple with growing demand for critical minerals and calls for stronger governance of natural resources.
The forum, organized through the Commission’s Working Group on Extractive Industries, Environment and Human Rights Violations in Africa, will be held under the theme: “Advancing Responsible Extractive Governance in Africa and in the context of the global rush for critical minerals: Insights from 40 years of promotion of the African Charter.”
According to the Commission, the gathering will serve as a multi-stakeholder platform bringing together governments, policymakers, civil society organizations, affected communities, private sector actors and academics to discuss how human rights standards can be better integrated into extractive sector governance.
The meeting comes at a time when Africa’s mineral wealth—including lithium, cobalt, manganese, bauxite and graphite—has become increasingly central to the global energy transition, raising concerns over land rights, environmental degradation, displacement of communities and equitable sharing of benefits.
Organizers said discussions will focus on strengthening accountability for extractive-related human rights abuses, environmental harm, and water and sanitation impacts. Participants are also expected to review implementation of ACHPR guidelines relating to natural resource governance and community rights.
The forum will further examine responsible business conduct in the extractive sector, peer learning among African states, and alignment of mining governance with continental frameworks such as Agenda 2063 and the Africa Mining Vision.
Expected participants include representatives of the African Union, National Human Rights Institutions, regulators, community groups, extractive industry actors and international development partners.
The event will be facilitated by Solomon Ayele Dersso, Chairperson of the Working Group, and Dr. Litha Musymi-Ogana, Vice-Chairperson, alongside expert members and Commission staff.
The Commission said the forum forms part of its mandate under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to promote and protect rights across the continent.
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