GUINEA

Boké is at a crossroads. The region and the prefecture of Boké, in particular, have experienced remarkable expansion of the mining industry in the past three or four years. Already a major mining producer, Boké has seen its production of bauxite more than double in an extremely short time, and it is expected to double again in the next three years. 

This has significant transformational effects. On the one hand, economic activity is booming, an ever-increasing number of people work for these companies, there are new opportunities for activities along the supply chain and tax revenues are increasing. 

On the other hand, the change also brings a lot of pressures and difficulties. The environment suffers, as do those who live in the affected areas. Migration flows are accelerating and the expectations of the population are still not met. The sustainable functioning of mining companies itself is threatened. 

To meet this challenge, the Ministry of Mines of Guinea has commissioned a comprehensive development strategy for the prefecture. Funded by the World Bank through PAGSEM, this strategy aims to identify a growth model that combines the expansion of the mining sector with a thriving non-mining economy, while caring for local communities and the environment. 

For almost six months, this work examined the structural problems of Boké and reflected on the obstacles to growth. We used satellite technology as a foundation to understand the actual current land use and land cover and to identify through a series of spatial and economic analysis models the potential to improve it. 

Above all, we conducted extensive consultations with people and organizations, in the prefecture and beyond, and incorporated their advice into this analysis. We have identified untapped opportunities that can become drivers for attracting investment and stimulating development. The new strategy offers a common vision behind which people and organizations can align and contribute: a vision in line with that of the PNDES (National Plan for Economic and Social Development).

 Any successful model must have an effective delivery mechanism, so implementing this strategy has always been a crucial consideration. The recommendations that have been formulated have been grouped under a number of lines of work which lead to a plan structured in six pillars. One of these pillars meets the requirement for a capable and transparent institutional architecture that can take responsibility for implementing the strategy in the short-, and medium-term. 

As the general approach and individual initiatives begin to produce results, this strategy for the diversification and sustainable development of what is currently a “mining prefecture” may well become a model that can be reproduced throughout Guinea and elsewhere.

By combining the individual DI crop suitability models we were able to identify the areas with the highest suitability for growing multiple crops. The darkest green area support 9-12 crops at the highest suitability levels indicating potential agriculture growth nodes. 

Reference: 

Dobbin International Inc and Ergo Strategy Group. 2019. Strategy for the Sustainable Development of Boke Prefecture, Guinea. Consulting report prepared for PAGSEM, the Guinea Ministry of Mines and Geology and The World Bank Group.