A New Wave in East African Mining Governance: Motivations and Implications of Mining Act Reforms in EAC Countries

Abstract

In recent years, East African Community (EAC) member states have actively pursued revisions to their mining acts, aiming to enhance the sector’s contribution to national economies by improving legal frameworks. This paper systematically reviews the revision processes of mining laws in EAC member states, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It analyzes key drivers of reform, such as renewed recognition of the mining economy’s importance, the urgent need for foreign investment, adjustments to benefit-sharing mechanisms, and the growing emphasis on environmental protection. The study further examines the practical impacts of mining law revisions on national economic structures, foreign capital inflows, mineral exports, and environmental management. Findings indicate that while reform trajectories and outcomes vary across countries, overall revisions have provided institutional safeguards for mining development in EAC nations, while also exposing challenges in environmental oversight and local benefit-sharing. The study concludes that future reforms must prioritize effective implementation and deeper integration of mining with local economies to achieve sustainable development.