Addis Ababa Introduces a Comprehensive Licensing Framework for Construction Mineral Extraction

On 6 July 2026, the Addis Ababa City Environmental Protection Authority issued Directive No. 191/2018 (the “Directive”), establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework for the licensing, administration, production, and oversight of construction minerals within the jurisdiction of the Addis Ababa City Administration. The Directive was registered with the Ministry of Justice and published on the Authority’s website, becoming effective upon publication.

The Directive represents a significant regulatory development for Addis Ababa’s construction mineral sector. It seeks to bring the extraction and supply of construction minerals within a more structured licensing and monitoring framework, while strengthening environmental protection, land-use controls, transparency, reporting, and accountability.

The Directive is issued pursuant to the authority granted to the Addis Ababa City Environmental Protection Authority under Article 16(2)(e) of Proclamation No. 84/2016 and operates within the broader framework of the Mining Operations Proclamation No. 678/2010, as amended, and the Mining Operations Council of Ministers Regulation No. 423/2010.

The Directive applies to individuals, associations, private companies, government institutions, and other entities engaged or intending to engage in the production, lifting, utilisation, or related activities involving construction minerals within Addis Ababa.

The regulated minerals include black basalt stone, gravel, red sand, red soil, white masonry or chipped stone, river sand and gravel, as well as other similar construction minerals. The breadth of the framework means that the Directive is relevant not only to commercial mining operators, but also to government development projects, public development enterprises, cooperatives, landholders, and businesses involved in the supply chain. Please read the full details in the attachment.