About The Conference
Theme:
‘’Transforming West Africa’s Natural Resources through Advancing Mining Technologies, Innovation, Automation, Digital Integration and Sustainable Resources Development’’
The West African Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (WAIMM), will be hosting the 7th WAIMM Annual Industry Conference (WAIC2026) in Accra, Ghana.
The 7th WAIC will take place in Accra and will be hosted by the WAMM from Tuesday, November 10th to Thursday, November 12th, 2026 in Accra, Ghana.
The theme for the upcoming three-day conference is “TRANSFORMING WEST AFRICA’S NATURAL RESOURCES THROUGH ADVANCING MINING TECHNOLOGIES, INNOVATION, AUTOMATION, DIGITAL INTEGRATION AND SUSTAINABLE RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT”.
The WAIC 2026 will host mining, geology, exploration, metallurgy, processing and petroleum industry professionals and companies under one roof with the objective to provide an excellent opportunity for networking, provide high end industry solutions, discuss latest development in industry practices and operations, provide innovative technological and technical recommendations to solve industry challenges and knowledge sharing with experts and both local and international consultants.
The first WAIMM ANNUAL INDUSTRY CONFERENCE (WAIC2016) was organized on the 11th of June 2016 with the objective to provide an excellent opportunity for networking, high end industry solutions, latest development in industry practices and operations, technological and technical recommendations to solve industry challenges and knowledge sharing with experts and both local and international consultants. The annual event was however not organized in 2020 and 2021 as a result of the Covid pandemic and associated restrictions on gatherings and events. The conference has grown in stature, and continues to grow in influence and participation since the first event held in 2016.
WAIC (now the West African Annual Industry Conference) is the premier conference for the mining and petroleum industry professionals across the West African subregion. The event is the leading technical conference for mining and petroleum industry professionals in the west African region, with presentations and participation from the entire regional mining, oil & gas, quarrying, exploration, drilling, government, and the investment community together. The conference agenda discusses decarbonisation, digitalization, AI, Data integration & Automation, Investment, Waste management, Strategic growth, Emerging markets, Operational optimization, Exploration, Responsible mining, Tailings management, sustainable practices & processes, technology and innovation improving efficiencies as well as examining international and regional market opportunities, operational best practices and innovative technologies that are transforming the industry.
WAIC is the largest gathering of mining and petroleum industry professionals in the west African subregion that solely provides you the opportunity to meet and network with colleagues and peers, inspire others in the industry, exchange ideas, share knowledge, discuss innovative and current trends in mining operations, safety and industry sustainability. WAIC provides you the channel to increase your knowledge base, brainstorm with industry experts and provide you the platform to contribute to the development and sustainability of the mining and oil & gas industry across the west African subregion.
The WAIC events are designed to address issues including government policies, sustainable practices & processes, technological trends & innovations, framework and regulations, industry regulations, corporate social responsibility, flagship projects, investment opportunities, technical research, operational best practices in the mining and petroleum industry.
The three-day action-packed WAIC 2026 is expected to have representations and participation from the entire regional mining, oil & gas, quarrying, exploration, drilling, government, and the investment community together. The conference agenda will be discussing decarbonization, sustainable practices & processes, technology and innovation improving efficiencies as well as examining international and regional market opportunities, operational best practices and innovative technologies that are transforming the industry.
The mission of the WAIC is to provide higher professionalism in Mining, Petroleum, Technology and related disciplines; to promote knowledge transfer, skillset and technical excellence through very well researched and practical key presentations. The WAIC also focuses on creating opportunities for both local, regional and international networking experiences.
The objective of the WAIC event is to ensure that industry professionals and the communities gain in-depth knowledge about the latest trends in technology and research, share ideas and knowledge on the diverse fields in the industry and provide the platform for all stakeholders to think through challenges and stay relevant in the resources industry.
WAIC 2026 will also bring together over 500 delegates and visitors from the Industry Professionals and Investment community who are expected to attend this year’s event to discuss and provide leadership solutions on how West African countries can develop the potential of their resources into investments and industrialization to drive economic growth in the sub-region considering the current global pandemic. The three (3) day event also promises to feature a lot of Mining, Oil & Gas, Banking and Investment companies who will showcase (exhibit) their latest projects and investment opportunities.
The contents of information during WAIC 2026 will include panel discussions and presentations by a line-up of industry leaders and resource experts. Below are some of the reasons that you have to attend WAIC 2026:
The conference will feature mining, petroleum and investment leaders who would be sharing great insights and knowledge on current trends in the resources industry and investment opportunities.
The 3 – day event also promises to feature a lot of mining, oil & gas, banking and investment companies who will showcase their latest projects and investment opportunities.
