Nairobi: Effective exploration of minerals in the Great Lakes Region and curbing the illegal exploitation of natural resources has been identified as a key factor in driving economic change and improving the lives of regional citizens. Mining Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai emphasized the potential of the region, which is rich in 3TG minerals-tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold-that, if well managed, can become the backbone of economic transformation.
According to Kenya News Agency, in a speech read on his behalf by the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) Audit Committee chairperson Eng. Philip Kirui Kiplangat, Kimtai highlighted that these critical resources have at times fueled conflict, illicit trade, and instability. This underscores why Kenya fully supports the work of the ICGLR, particularly the Regional Certification Mechanism (RCM) under the regional initiative against the illegal exploitation of natural resources.
Kimtai stated, “Kenya is proud to host the 26th meeting of the ICGLR, a critical organ mandated to ensure transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship in the trade of regional vast mineral resources.” Additionally, the audit committee plays a crucial role in enhancing auditor capacity and ensuring compliance with internationally recognized standards among supply chain actors.
The PS reaffirmed the Kenyan government’s commitment to act and seal all loopholes, empower legitimate exporters, and instill confidence in international markets that minerals from the region are ethically sourced and transparently traded. “I commend the ICGLR secretariat, the audit committee, and all stakeholders for their tireless work and assure them that Kenya is committed to supporting regional integration, enhancing compliance mechanisms, and fostering a mineral sector that is inclusive, transparent, and sustainable,” said Kimtai.
ICGLR Deputy Executive Secretary Ambassador Yasir Ibrahim Ali Mohammed emphasized that the Regional Certification Mechanism is crucial for combating the illicit exploitation of natural resources in the Great Lakes region, calling for close collaboration among member states to make it effective. He explained that during their meeting in Nairobi, they will evaluate the progress of activities in Burundi, DRC, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, along with other administrative aspects of the audit committee.
Mohammed stated, “We will be evaluating the finalized audit reports for various member states like the DRC and Uganda and are planning to identify more areas of audits in DRC, Rwanda, and Burundi.” He highlighted that the audits, carried out by regionally accredited auditors, are a significant achievement in strengthening the Regional Certification Mechanism, a core tool in the fight against illegal exploitation of natural resources.
According to Mohammed, training sessions were organized in the first quarter of 2025 for newly accredited audit firms and mineral exporters from Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania. He urged member states that have not yet fully implemented the Regional Certification Mechanism to comply and ensure that all exporters are duly audited and certified to guarantee the credibility of ICGLR certificates.
The conferences, organized in collaboration with GIZ (German Society for International Cooperation), provide an arena for policymakers, technical experts, and regional stakeholders to assess progress, share best practices, and agree on next steps in implementing the Six Tools against the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources (RINR).