Self-reliance begins by bringing opportunity to Eritrea rather than seeking it abroad. It is more effective and sustainable to invite foreign investors & industry partners to Asmara as the government successfully did during the Asmara Mining Conferences of 2013 & 2014—than for President Isaias Afwerki to travel repeatedly to Moscow, Pretoria, Cairo, Riyadh, or Beijing. Hosting these partners on Eritrean soil allows direct engagement with the country’s projects, geology, & people, & reinforces national ownership of the development process.
A Proven Platform That Should Not Have Ended
Between the early 2010s and 2014, the Government of Eritrea hosted a series of annual mining conferences at the Asmara Palace Hotel. These events brought together geologists, mining companies, and investors from around the world & served as a practical platform for dialogue & partnership. The fifth and final conference in the series was held from 1–5 October 2014.
The annual Asmara Mining Conference was a well-functioning initiative. Its abrupt discontinuation, without clear public explanation, removed a useful tool for attracting investment at a time when Eritrea’s mineral sector was gaining momentum. The government should stop ending initiatives that demonstrably worked and instead build on them. Relaunching the event as the 6th Asmara Mining and Business Conference in 2026 would correct that course.
Eritrea’s Strategic Mineral Endowment
Eritrea’s location on the Arabian-Nubian Shield gives it substantial and largely undeveloped mineral reserves that justify renewed international engagement.
Potash: The Colluli Potash Project in the Danakil Depression ranks among the world’s largest and shallowest potash deposits. It holds roughly 1.1 billion tonnes of ore reserves and a mineral resource of about 1.3 billion tonnes, supporting a projected mine life of more than 200 years. Designed for premium sulphate of potash (SOP) production, Colluli has the potential to make Eritrea a meaningful global supplier and to contribute significantly to GDP and government revenue once fully operational.
•Gold: Active gold production continues at the Bisha Mine and the Zara/Koka project. The Asmara Mining Project (Emba Derho, Debarwa and associated deposits) contains hundreds of thousands of ounces of gold together with major copper and zinc resources, offering clear expansion potential as development advances.
•Copper, Zinc and Other Minerals: Bisha and the broader Asmara district host substantial volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits of copper and zinc that already underpin a large share of Eritrea’s export earnings. The country also possesses commercially relevant silver, salt and industrial-mineral resources, plus further exploration potential across multiple geological terranes.
These assets are supported by an established mining legislative framework and a track record of joint ventures between the state-owned Eritrean National Mining Corporation (ENAMCO) and international operators.
Why Relaunch the Conference Now
A revitalized 6th Asmara Mining and Business Conference would:
Restore a proven format that previously facilitated direct dialogue between government officials and industry;
Present updated geological data, project pipelines and investment conditions;
Showcase progress at flagship projects such as Colluli and the Asmara district;
Demonstrate that Eritrea prefers to host partners at home rather than rely solely on presidential travel abroad;
Strengthen the country’s profile as a resource-rich partner open to mutually beneficial foreign investment.
By bringing investors, mining companies and service providers to Asmara, the conference can accelerate the responsible development of Eritrea’s potash, gold, copper and zinc wealth while reinforcing the principle that self-reliance starts at home.