“Local Content is politics”: An examination of the origins of local content policies in Guinea’s mining sector

In a quest to overcome the resource curse and enclave extractivism, many rich countries opt implement local content policies (LCPs), popular type of mining reform. LCPs aim facilitate inclusive resource-based development through maximization direct indirect employment, as well creation linkages along beyond value chain. This paper examines why like Guinea – low-income country extremely in bauxite focus this article are designing implementing LCPs. so doing, reasons related extractivism highlighted, political motivations for Both expose problematic realities that harm successful LCP design implementation. First, although is effects, operate alongside thus reinforcing structural deficiencies. Second, behind implementation LCPs, commitment African Mining Vision, Guinean being top-down presidential project, make challenging. case study showcases processes which reforms entangled national regional politics how reality ongoing can undermine reform efforts.