Before the Table: Preparing Governments for Critical-Minerals Negotiations
Seven preparation priorities for governments entering negotiations with mining companies, investors or strategic partners.
Flagship Practice · Critical Minerals Governance
Building Stronger Governance for Africa's Critical Minerals Future
Africa's critical-mineral resources offer significant opportunities for economic transformation, industrial development and strategic partnerships.
Realizing that potential requires more than mineral endowment. It requires sound legal frameworks, predictable regulation, capable institutions, informed negotiations, accountable governance and strategic decision-making.
The experience behind AABSA
25+Years advising governments and international institutions
UN · U.S.Senior roles with the United Nations and the U.S. Government
6Countries of field service across Africa and Asia
EN · FRWorking languages
Professional experience of AABSA’s Founder and Chairman. View selected experience →
Who we are
An independent Africa-focused advisory organization
AABSA is an independent Africa-focused advisory organization working on the legal, regulatory, governance and institutional foundations of public decision-making.
Critical-minerals governance is our flagship practice. We advise governments, public institutions, investors, development partners and other stakeholders on the systems and decisions that shape critical-minerals development.
Our Expertise
Seven connected areas of advisory work
01
Legal & Regulatory
AABSA advises on the laws, regulations, licensing frameworks, government authorities and compliance structures governing critical-minerals development.
Explore Legal & Regulatory →02Governance & Institutions
We help governments strengthen institutional architecture, mandates, coordination mechanisms, accountability and implementation capacity.
Explore Governance & Institutions →03Government Negotiation Preparedness
We support governments preparing for complex mineral-sector negotiations by strengthening legal preparation, institutional organization, decision-making and strategic coordination.
Explore Government Negotiation Preparedness →04Government-Investor Relations
We advise on the legal, regulatory and institutional foundations required for credible and sustainable government-investor relationships.
Explore Government-Investor Relations →05Integrity, Transparency & Accountability
We support governments and institutions in strengthening integrity safeguards, oversight systems, transparency and accountability.
Explore Integrity & Accountability →06Critical Minerals Diplomacy & Strategic Governance
We advise governments on the legal and institutional dimensions of government-to-government mineral cooperation and strategic partnerships.
Explore Strategic Governance →07AI & Digital Governance
AABSA advises African governments on the responsible use of artificial intelligence and digital systems to strengthen critical-minerals governance.
Explore AI & Digital Governance →Latest Analysis
Policy briefs
Read →
Integrity by Design: Strengthening Licensing Systems for Critical Minerals
Common vulnerabilities in mineral licensing systems, and practical measures to make allocation, transfer and revocation more transparent and accountable.
Leadership
Leadership and senior expertise
Founder and Chairman
Ousmane Kane, JD
International jurist, governance practitioner and strategic adviser with more than twenty-five years of experience with the United Nations and the U.S. Government.
Board of Advisors · Being established
Senior advisory board
AABSA is establishing a Board of Advisors of senior practitioners from government, law, international institutions and the mineral sector.
Expert network
Specialists for each engagement
AABSA works with specialists in mining economics, geology, fiscal policy, environmental governance and technology as assignments require.
Stronger Governance. Better Decisions.
AABSA helps governments and their partners strengthen the legal, regulatory and institutional foundations required for responsible critical-minerals development.