Mining CS Hassan Joho when presided the launch of two policy documents aimed at improving governance and promoting responsible mineral extraction/HANDOUT

Kenya is positioning its mining sector as a major destination for international investment, with the government rolling out reforms to unlock mineral wealth and strengthen investor confidence.

Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Hassan Ali Joho said the government was committed to creating an enabling environment for investors while ensuring that mineral resources generate jobs, expand exports and support industrial development.

At the annual Mining Policy Brief and Stakeholders’ Forum at Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi, Joho presided over the launch of two policy documents aimed at improving governance and promoting responsible mineral extraction.

The documents, the Artisanal Mining Committee Manual and the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Guidelines for the Mining Sector, are expected to strengthen regulation, improve operational safety and provide a framework for sustainable investment.

Joho said Kenya’s mineral-rich counties, including Migori and Taita-Taveta, presented opportunities for investment in exploration, extraction, processing and value addition, particularly in gold and gemstones.

Mining stakeholders led by international investor and eye surgeon Dr Anwar Rauf Ansari (second right)/HANDOUT

International investor and eye surgeon Dr Anwar Rauf Ansari challenged Kenya to broaden its investment partnerships, particularly by tapping into capital opportunities in the Gulf region.

Drawing on his networks in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Ansari proposed a dedicated ambassador for mining and natural resources to market Kenya’s investment opportunities in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar.

He also offered to support the initiative on a voluntary basis, arguing that Kenya should diversify its financing sources and build partnerships that deliver long-term economic benefits.

“World Bank debt is neocolonialism,” he said, calling for greater reliance on investment partnerships, local capacity development and sustainable financing.

Ansari further advocated public-private partnerships to improve access to modern mining equipment, technology transfer and artificial intelligence-driven databases for mineral resource mapping.

He emphasised that local communities must participate in mining ventures, warning that investors risk resistance where residents feel excluded from economic benefits.

Joho acknowledged that artisanal and small-scale miners faced challenges including inadequate financing, unsafe working conditions and limited market access.

The new guidelines seek to address these gaps through formalization, stronger accountability, environmental safeguards and community participation.

The government is now looking to translate the reforms into tangible opportunities for investors while ensuring mineral development benefits host communities and strengthens Kenya’s industrial growth.