Entebbe, Uganda, 19 November 2025: The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) proudly opened the 17th Annual General Meeting of the Organisation of African Geological Surveys (OAGS), a three-day strategic gathering hosted at Imperial Golf View Hotel, Entebbe.
Hon. Dr. Canon Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, Minister for Energy and Mineral Development, officially opened the AGM and reaffirmed Uganda’s strong commitment to advancing Africa’s geoscience agenda. She emphasized Uganda’s vast natural resource endowment, a dynamic young workforce, and the country’s ambition to scale its economy from USD 50 billion in 2025 to USD 500 billion by 2040, with the extractives sector as a key driver.
The Minister highlighted Uganda’s progress in geological mapping, high-resolution airborne geophysical surveys, mineral quantification, and efforts toward value addition and the formalisation of artisanal mining. She noted that critical minerals such as lithium, graphite, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements present immense opportunities for Africa’s industrial transformation.
Representing the Permanent Secretary, Ms. Agnes Alaba, Commissioner for Mines, reiterated Uganda’s major advancements in geoscience infrastructure,.full airborne geophysical coverage, updated geological maps, expanded geochemical databases, and a fully digital Mining Cadastre and Registry System, all of which position Uganda as one of Africa’s most attractive and well-studied mining destinations.
The AGM convened leaders from African geological surveys, the EU Geological Surveys, China Geological Survey, development agencies, and regional partners to share data, technology, and best practices for strengthening Africa’s mineral governance and investment climate.
OAGS President Dr. Rokhaya Samba Diene, diplomatic representatives, and technical teams from across the continent graced the opening ceremony.
Delegates will spend the next three days discussing technological innovation, capacity building, and regional collaboration, concluding with a field excursion to selected mineral field sites in Uganda.
