Empowering artisanal miners: Moyo Gems' transformational impact in Kenya

Artisanal and small-scale mining provides an essential livelihood for more than 45 million people around the world. It is an important driver of development in communities, but it also comes with challenges for the people who choose to mine, particularly women. Pact works with governments, industry, miners and mining communities to tackle these challenges and make ASM safer, formal and more productive. 

In Kenya’s Taita Taveta County, we’re transforming opportunities for artisanal women miners by creating sustainable access to gemstone markets through the Moyo Gems project. Since 2022, the project has received funding from Brilliant Earth, a jewelry company that works to cultivate a more transparent, sustainable, compassionate and inclusive jewelry industry. With the support of Brilliant Earth and other stakeholders, the project emphasizes responsible sourcing, direct access to international markets and access to affordable formal and informal financial services for miners. We work closely with the Association of Women in Extractives and Energy Kenya (AWEIK), a local organization that connects women with professional and business opportunities in the extractives industry value chain.

With their deep understanding of local customs and challenges, AWEIK plays a crucial role facilitating community engagement. Their established relationships with artisanal miners ensures miners’ effective participation in project activities. Additionally, AWEIK provides capacity-building initiatives to develop skills and knowledge among miners, enhancing their ability to navigate the gemstone market successfully.

By connecting miners to improved market opportunities and enhancing their technical capacities, Moyo Gems is not only empowering them to achieve economic independence and long-term growth but also ensuring that these efforts are sustainable, fostering resilience and financial stability within their communities for the future.

Improving market access is a key pillar of the project. Artisanal miners frequently face challenges in obtaining equitable prices for their gemstones in local markets, where their products are often low valued. The project organizes “Mine to Markets" events, where artisanal miners can sell their gemstones and participate in networking opportunities with industry stakeholders. So far, we’ve organized six of these events, which have facilitated the sale of 4,597 high-value stones and 671 lower-value stones. Additionally, through a partnership with Gemfund, a women- and youth-led organization, miners are able to sell stones that were previously challenging to market to Gemfund’s low-value gemstone desk. These activities ensure miners have access to markets for their gems, providing them with essential income and financial stability.

Moyo Gems is not just about selling gemstones; it’s also about building capacity and skills in the mining communities. Of the more than 600 miners taking part in the project in Kenya, over 500 are receiving specialized training in gemology, gemstone valuation and occupational health and safety. These capacity-building initiatives are essential for ensuring miners can consistently produce high-quality gemstones while safeguarding their health and safety. We also provided equipment to expand Gemfund’s gem-cutting school in Bura, Taita Taveta, which provides additional opportunities for miners to expand their technical skills. This holistic approach is improving miners’ technical skills and promoting sustainable practices within the industry.

A major milestone in our efforts has been the integration of financial inclusion through WORTH, Pact’s unique savings group model. These groups, made up of 383 members, provide miners—especially women—with access to savings, loans and emergency funds, as well as financial literacy and numeracy. Between January and September 2024, the WORTH groups accumulated $21,626 in savings and issued loans totaling $50,000. The initiative is addressing the financial exclusion that has long plagued rural communities by enabling miners to access essential financial services and products that were previously out of reach.

As part of our sustainability strategy, we are also collaborating with Equity Bank Kenya to connect the WORTH groups to formal financial institutions. Formalizing their financial activities will help miners access a wider range of financial services, such as microloans, which will allow them to reinvest in their mining operations and improve their livelihoods. This partnership will also open doors to additional services, including healthcare through their Equi-health program, agricultural growth support and financial literacy training, ensuring that the benefits extend beyond mining to all aspects of the miners' lives. Equity Bank is a strong supporter of the mining sector in Africa, offering specialized services tailored to the sector and recognized in Rwanda as the only financial institution supporting miners in the country.

Looking ahead, we envision creating a lasting impact on artisanal mining communities by providing them with tools for self-reliance, growth and empowerment. The continued focus on financial literacy and formal banking solutions will enable miners to thrive economically and create more resilient communities. By working with banks, the project is laying the groundwork for a future where artisanal miners are no longer marginalized but are fully integrated into formal financial systems with access to the resources they need to succeed.

The Moyo Gems project is not only revolutionizing how artisanal women miners in Taita Taveta access markets but also equipping them with the skills, tools and financial services necessary for long-term success. Through market access, capacity development, financial inclusion and strategic partnerships, we are leading the charge toward a brighter future for artisanal mining communities in Kenya.