Africa's industrial future depends on energy security, safety and local value - Elias
Morupule Coal Mine (MCM) Chief Executive Officer Mr Edwin Elias has called on African governments, mining companies and investors to protect energy security while advancing the continent’s transition towards cleaner energy.
Speaking at the 12th Africa Mining Summit 2026 in Gaborone, Elias said reliable power remains fundamental to Africa’s industrial ambitions, arguing that energy security and energy transition should be pursued together rather than treated as competing priorities. “Energy security and energy transition are not opposing forces. They are two hands on the same wheel.”
His remarks come as Botswana pursues greater energy self-sufficiency, expands renewable generation and targets a larger share of renewables in its energy mix.
Elias said coal continues to have a role in providing reliable baseload power while the country develops its renewable capacity, but stressed that the mining sector must also address its environmental footprint.
At MCM, he said, the company is targeting a 35% reduction in emissions by 2030 and Net Zero by 2050 under its #1-3-27 strategy.
Safety was another central message. “None of this, no tonnage, no megawatt, no strategy document, means anything if we cannot keep our people safe while we deliver it.”MCM marks 25 years without a fatality, while its 2025 performance recorded zero major injuries and zero lost-time injuries.
Elias also called for mining-led industrialisation to translate into greater economic participation for local businesses.
Through MCM’s Citizen Economic Empowerment Programme (CEEP), citizen-owned procurement spend rose from 22% in 2022 to 57% in 2025, with more than P1 billion directed to citizen-owned enterprises.
“Africa will not industrialise on imported everything.” He said building local capacity, developing infrastructure, protecting workers and retaining more value within African economies would be critical to the continent’s next phase of industrial development.
