Training on Business Development for Small-Scale Mining
2024-07-10 - 2026-03-05 | Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
In October 2024, the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme conducted a training in Brazzaville for artisanal and small-scale miners. The training aimed to strengthen participants’ entrepreneurial and management skills, introduce business planning as a practical decision-making tool, and promote more inclusive and sustainable mining practices.
Participants take part in a training on business development and business planning
The workshop provided participants with knowledge on key aspects of managing and developing small-scale mining enterprises. Sessions addressed topics such as business planning, access to finance, marketing strategies, the creation and management of business entities and cooperatives, as well as basic accounting principles necessary for running a mining-related business.
The training was supported by practical case studies and interactive discussions that encouraged peer learning and the exchange of experiences among participants. These exchanges helped identify practical solutions and led to recommendations for improving the management and performance of small-scale mining enterprises.
As a result, participants gained practical knowledge and skills to better organize, formalize, and sustain their mining activities. This contributes to improving the productivity and income-generating potential of artisanal and small-scale mining businesses.

New Training of Business Experts in Cameroon: Building Skills to Help Small Businesses Succeed
2025-06-16 - 2025-08-20 | Yaounde, Cameroon, Cameroon
The ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme, through UNDP Cameroon, is working to grow a cohort of Cameroonian business development experts to support growth of micro, medium and small enterprises (MSMEs). From June to August 2025, a series of three intensive training were conducted, on the Growing Your Business/Supplier Development Programme Methodology (GYB/SDP).
Business development experts – participants of the training with public authorities, trainers, facilitators, and the UNDP team. Photo credit: UNDP Cameroon
The training is done in collaboration with UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean (RBLAC), which developed the business-growth methods now being transferred to Cameroon. While the Development Minerals Programme supports small businesses doing value-addition to products made from minerals – mostly construction materials – the Agribusiness Initiative supports small businesses in agro-processing.
The training introduced new tools and methods to improve how businesses plan, manage finances, ensure product quality, and promote their products online. The trainees learned the GYB/ SDP methodologies that provide a systematic way for mentoring businesses for growth.
The training was very hands-on. Each participant worked directly with a small business to apply what they were learning. For example, one consultant helped a small clay-brick business organize its workspace using the 5S method, which reduced waste and boosted daily production. Another consultant helped a stone-cutting enterprise understand its costs better and set clearer prices, making it easier for the business to negotiate with buyers. In total, around two dozen small businesses started seeing real improvements during the training itself – whether in branding, financial planning, or how they present their products to customers.
After rigorous and intensive training, 24 of the training participants were accredited – which gives a mark of quality for these business development experts to mentor small businesses to grow and become competitive. This also creates Cameroon’s first cohort trained directly in the GYB/SDP methodology.
By focusing on agribusiness and development minerals, the initiative supports Cameroon’s national development goals and helps create more jobs and opportunities for local entrepreneurs in sectors identified as national priorities.

Empowering Women and Youth in Tanzania’s Artisanal Mining Sector
2025-07-24 - 2025-07-25 | Dodoma, Tanzania
A national workshop on empowering women in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) was held in Dodoma from 24–25 July 2025. The event was opened by Mr. Ally Samaje, Assistant Commissioner for Minerals and Mines Development, and marked the launch of a new national effort to support women and youth in Tanzania’s Development Minerals sector. A key moment was the release of the Baseline Study on ASM, which will guide future actions and policies.
A panel discussion with NEMC, the Mining Commission, and ASM representatives on mitigating the environmental impacts of artisanal mining. Photo credit: UNDP Tanzania
The workshop brought together 63 participants from government, women’s mining associations (including Tanzania Women Miners Association, Tanzania Women in Mining & Mineral Industries and Women in Mining Association), Federation of Miners Associations of Tanzania, technical institutions, civil society, and miners from 13 regions.
Discussions focused on three priorities: promoting gender equity and stronger leadership roles for women; improving health and safety in mines through better regulation and training; and introducing practical solutions such as low-cost mechanisation tools and digital finance apps to support miners’ productivity and income.
Participants agreed on clear follow-up actions, including safer mining practices, better access to licensing and finance for women, and stronger collaboration between miners and policymakers. The workshop built on earlier training sessions held in Singida, Dodoma, Morogoro, and Tanga between May and July.

Equipping the New Generation of Miners in Uganda
2025-08-14 - 2025-08-27 | Kabale – Gulu – Busitema, Uganda
The growth of mining requires people to work in mining. At the same time, youth need to acquire employable skills, as many struggle after graduation – and before becoming employed. In Uganda, 180 young people (115 men and 65 women) participated in a series of trainings to improve their business and job skills in the mining sector.
Group photo of training participants at Kabale University. In the picture are Mr. Humphrey Asiimwe, CEO of Uganda Chamber of Energy and Minerals, and Mr. Michael Musinguzi from Q-Sourcing – a human resource development company, among others. Photo credit: UNDP Uganda
The sessions, held at Kabale, Gulu, and Busitema universities in August 2025, taught financial literacy, business planning, formalization, and sustainable mining. Participants included students, young entrepreneurs, and miners. The youth will continue to receive mentorship and business support through Uganda’s Chamber of Energy and Minerals, helping them create jobs and promote innovation in Uganda’s mining sector.
These trainings were organized by the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme implemented by UNDP, together with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and the Uganda Chamber of Energy and Minerals.

Growing Local Suppliers for a Sustainable Mining Future in Zambia
2025-09-14 - 2025-09-19 | Copperbelt, Kitwe, Zambia
Local content and supplier development are two sides of the same coin.
The ACP-EU Development Minerals programme is supporting small-scale miners to become reliable suppliers to large-scale miners. The Programme is working with UNDP Zambia and UNDP Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean to implement the Supplier Development Initiative (SDP).
Mission team with the CEO and COO of FMS Bakery and restaurant in Kitwe, with some of the products from their bakery displayed on the table. FMS is one of the shortlisted SDP suppliers based in Kitwe.Photo credit: UNDP Zambia
It trained 36 national consultants in early 2025 who became qualified to provide coaching and mentoring to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to grow as suppliers to bigger businesses. The SDP is now implementing a pilot with five small-scale mining cooperatives to supply silica to Mopani Copper Mines, along with ten women-led businesses.
The Programme builds skills, improves business opportunities, and connects small miners to bigger markets in a fair and sustainable way.

Building Skills for Sustainable Development Minerals in Tanzania
2025-09-18 - 2025-09-20 | Dodoma, Tanzania
The Programme worked with STAMICO (State Mining Corporation) in Tanzania to strengthen skills in the Development Minerals sector.
In Tanzania, the State Mining Corporation, apart from commercial large-scale mining, is also responsible for the development and professionalization of the artisanal and small-scale mining sector.
A joint team of experts from STAMICO (State Mining Corporation of Tanzania) and the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme is identifying the best local laterite soil for producing stabilized earth bricks in Dodoma Photo credit: UNDP Tanzania
An initial field mission assessed training needs, visited laterite-rich sites for soil sampling, and identified areas for future activities. The team also reviewed STAMICO’s current artisanal and small-scale mining training curriculum to integrate topics such as environmental standards, sustainable mining, and business development. This joint mission marked the start of a deeper collaboration, highlighting the role of national institutions in promoting responsible practices and local capacity building in the mining of development minerals.

Raw Materials Assessment for Low-Carbon Cement in Fiji
2025-09-23 - 2025-09-26 | Suva and Sigatoka, Fiji
In Fiji, the Programme launched a comprehensive assessment to find local raw materials that can be used to make Limestone Calcinated Clay Cement (LC3) in Fiji. The assessment aims to reduce Fiji’s dependence on imported clinker, which makes cement expensive and increases carbon emissions.
Robert Smith, Nanise Soko, Rigieta Ravuiwasa and Wame Macedru at one of the sampling sites at Pleass Global in Nabukavesi. Photo credit: UNDP Fiji
Preliminary findings show that some samples have good potential for LC3 production.
The assessment also integrates LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology, which uses laser light to create detailed maps of the land, help plan future quarry work and assess possible risks. The study marks a critical step toward sustainable, low-carbon cement production in Fiji.
Experts and partners of the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme, along with UNDP Pacific office in Fiji, are undertaking the raw materials assessment for low-carbon cement.

Eco-Brick Training for Young Women and Internally Displaced People in Cameroon
2025-09-29 - 2025-10-05 | Dschang, Commune of Menoua, Cameroon, Cameroon
In Cameroon, the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme conducted training on low-carbon materials and eco-construction, in partnership with the University of Dschang, from 29 September to 5 October 2025.
The construction with production of stabilized earth bricks (SEB) is an environmentally-friendly alternative to the use of fired bricks, by utilizing locally mined minerals. This training provides an opportunity for communities in Cameroon to create jobs and improve their livelihoods, particularly in the context of artisanal exploitation of Development Minerals in Cameroon.
Trainees construct a demonstration structure using stabilized earth bricks (SEB) on the University of Dschang campus during the ACP–EU Development Minerals Programme’s practical session on eco-construction. Photo credit: UNDP Cameroon
For 7 days, thirty-three young women, including internally displaced persons (IDPs) and members of the host communities, learned and applied new skills in identification and transformation of locally available minerals, such as laterite and clay. They were able to apply their new skill by realizing a demonstration SEB eco-construction in the University of Dschang campus.
By gaining these new skills, the participants can now help the production of stabilized earth bricks (SEB) and rebuild their communities after conflict, while also supporting local, sustainable, and inclusive economic development that makes use of recyclable and locally available resources.

Six Days, One Handbook: Africa’s ASM Booksprint
2025-11-10 - 2025-11-15 | Livingstone, Zambia
From 10 to 15 November 2025, artisanal and small-scale mining experts from 18 countries met in Livingstone, Zambia, for the Africa Regional ASM book. The workshop resulted in a draft handbook for ASM extension service providers that consolidates key material from capacity building of artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM) across the continent into a single handbok.
Opening remarks at the Africa Regional ASM Booksprint, with Lacina Pakoun, Technical Advisor for Minerals at the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme, alongside Mr. Azell Banda of Zambia’s Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development and Mr. James Wakiaga, United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative in Zambia, addressing participants. Photo credit: UNDP Zambia
The event opened with remarks from Mr. Azell Banda of Zambia’s Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development, who spoke about new national efforts to train and support small-scale miners. Dr. James Wakiaga, UNDP Resident Representative in Zambia, reminded everyone how many people depend on ASM for their livelihoods and why safer, more sustainable practices are essential. Ms. Isabelle Magne from the European Commission highlighted the EU’s partnership with UNDP and African institutions, noting that ASM has an important role in Africa’s green transition. Mr. Mkhululi Ncube of the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) presented the emerging African ASM framework.
Over six days, participants drafted the main chapters of the new manual, covering legal frameworks, formalization, mining methods, health and safety, environmental management, business skills, and gender inclusion. The Booksprint taps into collective knowledge and experience of the experts and builds upon existing guides that have been developed as part of the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme’s decade of work in formalization and training of ASM, the recently developed Zambian ASM Manual for Extension Service Providers, as well as other initiatives such as the DELVE Exchange ASM Academy, the CRAFT Code for Artisanal Miners and other best practice resources.
What made this workshop unique was its fast, highly collaborative writing process. By the end of the week, teams had produced a solid first draft that will serve as an essential guide for extension service providers for a safer, better organized, and more sustainable ASM across Africa.
