It’s not every day that one gets to travel from Nairobi to Abidjan, but last week, I had the privilege of attending the SIREXE 2024 International Exhibition of Extractive and Energy Resources in Côte d’Ivoire, a major event focused on the sustainable development of Africa’s mining and energy sectors. For the first time in Africa, an international exhibition brought together three key sectors; mining, petroleum and energy.
Over the course of several days, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in discussions about Africa’s immense potential in the extractive industries, with key industry players from across the continent gathering to share insights and forge collaborations. From over 300 companies exhibiting their innovations to high-level conferences delving into pressing industry issues, the event which registered over 20,000 visitors was a hub of knowledge and networking.
Among the key highlights of SIREXE 2024 was the urgent call for African countries to move beyond simply extracting raw materials and instead focus on processing and refining locally. This resonates with ongoing efforts in Kenya to modernize and add value to our mining sector, as outlined at the recent Kenya Mining Investment Conference.
The discussions were not just theoretical; I was inspired by real-life examples, such as Ahmadou Bakayoko of CIE and SODECI, who shared how Côte d’Ivoire has used digital technology and AI to optimize energy production. His comments highlighted how innovative solutions like AI and digital meters are helping manage energy usage and fraud detection, optimizing operations—a model Kenya could adopt to enhance its energy efficiency.
“Now we’re already using AI, for example, for fraud detection. Because with digital meters, you have enough data on the way electricity is used. Patterns can be recognized through AI, and the patterns can identify whether or not the billing is normal or not. And it helps us improve the performance of fraud management,” said Bakayoko
These innovations, paired with Côte d’Ivoire’s ambitious renewable energy goals, serve as a blueprint for Kenya’s own energy future.
In addition to the cutting-edge tech and policy discussions, the event reinforced the importance of local empowerment in the mining sector. Jeff Quartermaine, CEO Perseus Mining, that currently operates three gold mines in Africa shared insights on sustainable development of Africa’s mining sector.
“From our Gold mines in Cote d’Ivoire, we ensure that the benefits are shared with local communities. This is not just about mining but about maintaining a social license to operate, so the community thrives even after the resources are depleted,” he said.
Quartermaine’s statement got me thinking. With over 200 registered artisanal mining cooperatives in Kenya, there’s a real opportunity to scale up the efforts and ensure that communities are at the heart of the mining sector’s growth.
This journey to SIREXE was not just about reporting the latest developments—it was about learning, connecting, and understanding how we can apply winning strategies and policies back home to drive the mining and energy sectors forward.
