Ghana’s efforts to formalize artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) are gaining momentum through international partnerships focused on improving access to processing infrastructure, finance, technology and formal markets. The July 2026 memorandum of understanding between Ghana and the World Gold Council (WGC) represents a significant step in strengthening the country’s gold value chain and ensuring greater economic value is retained locally.
These developments will take center stage at the African Minerals Policy Forum – Mining in Motion (AMPF–MiM) 2026, taking place from October 19–21 at Destiny Arena in Accra. The event will bring together African mining policymakers, investors, producers and development partners to examine how policy coordination and international partnerships can accelerate ASGM formalization, beneficiation and sustainable mineral development.
Ghana and WGC Advance Formalization
Under the Ghana–WGC partnership, the two parties will work towards establishing a network of gold processing plants across Ghana, giving ASGM operators greater access to formal processing infrastructure while addressing gaps in the gold value chain and reducing reliance on informal trading channels.
The partnership will also support cooperation on policy and standards development, capacity building, skills development and education for ASGM operators. The WGC has committed an initial $250,000 development grant to support cooperative registration under Ghana’s Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Program (rCOMSDEP).
The initiative comes as Ghana seeks to strengthen the contribution of ASGM to employment, local economic development and government revenues. In 2026, the country’s ASGM sector is expected to contribute between 2.9 million tons to 3.5 million tons, making sector formalization and empowerment efforts crucial more than ever.
International Partnerships Expand ASGM Support
Ghana’s formalization strategy extends beyond the WGC partnership. The planetGOLD Ghana Project, implemented by UNDP and UNIDO with Global Environment Facility funding, is supporting formalization, access to finance and mercury-free technologies. A partnership between Ghana’s Gold Coast and South Africa’s Rand Refinery is also expanding Ghana’s capacity to process ASGM-produced gold.
Ghana is also exploring cooperation with Better Brands Zimbabwe to provide financing and equipment support to artisanal miners, demonstrating how international partnerships can complement domestic reforms by bringing additional finance, technology and technical expertise into the sector.
Together, these initiatives provide a potential model for other African gold-producing countries seeking to bring ASGM operators into the formal economy while strengthening domestic processing and value addition.
Regional Cooperation Becomes Critical
Ghana’s experience comes as other African mineral producers pursue similar approaches. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the ASGM Empowerment Axis and GoldConnectprograms are supporting formalization and market access, while Uganda’s TENT Grant Initiative is providing ASM operators with financing and access to refinery facilities and formal markets.
The growing number of national initiatives highlights the importance of regional cooperation on ASM regulation, financing, technology, processing and market access. Sharing successful approaches could help African producers address common industry challenges while building stronger regional mineral value chains.
These issues will be central to discussions at AMPF–MiM 2026, where stakeholders will examine how policy harmonization, infrastructure sharing and international partnerships can accelerate formalization across Africa.
Organized by the Ashanti Green Initiative, led by Nana Kwaku Duah, son of His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, King of the Ashanti Kingdom of Ghana, in partnership with the African Union, AMPF–MiM 2026 will provide a platform for African governments and industry stakeholders to exchange best practices and develop partnerships around responsible mining and value addition.
