The Critical Minerals Africa summit will feature a specialized forum dedicated to guaranteeing that the continent’s mineral resources contribute to comprehensive and inclusive economic growth.


In April 2024, the UN Secretary General António Guterresestablished a panel to develop a framework for ensuring equity, transparency, sustainability, and human rights in critical mineral extraction activities. The panel aims to unite government and industry stakeholders to encourage developing countries, particularly in Africa, to leverage their critical minerals for job creation, economic diversification, and export revenues.

Reflecting similar priorities, the Critical Minerals Africa (CMA) summit, scheduled for November 6-7 in Cape Town, will host an Industry Leader Forum to explore strategies for sustainable mineral production and address external factors such as geopolitical risk, digital transformation, and the energy transition. The summit will also discuss recent high-level initiatives, including the African Green Minerals Strategy and the global Minerals Security Partnership, to shape best practices for building resilient mineral supply chains.

Initiated in 2022 by the African Development Bank, the African Green Minerals Strategy (AGMS) serves as a comprehensive framework for leveraging the continent’s mineral resources for industrialization and the development of green technologies. The AGMS aims to articulate Africa’s interests in a rapidly changing world, create jobs, develop new industries, and foster greener economies as global demand for transition minerals rises.

Meanwhile, the US-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) is a collaborative effort among 14 countries and the European Union to enhance investment in responsible critical minerals supply chains. The MSP supports strategic projects, with a focus on lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, graphite, rare earth elements, and copper, through partnerships with governments and industries. Collaboration with the MSP is particularly relevant for Africa, given the continent's abundant mineral reserves, as it enables responsible mineral extraction and supports local communities and economies while advancing global clean energy goals.

In February 2023, MSP partners convened in South Africa to establish guiding principles for global project development, emphasizing local value addition and maintaining sustainability and ESG standards. Representatives from mineral-rich nations, including non-MSP countries like Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia, participated in the discussions. The meeting aimed to ensure that the growth of critical minerals supply chains benefits all stakeholders equitably, highlighting the MSP's commitment to responsible mineral extraction and sustainable development.

To further efforts in ensuring a steady and sustainable supply of CRMs, the EU launched its Critical Raw Materials (CRM) Act in March 2023, as European demand for rare earth metals is expected to increase six-fold by 2030. As part of this initiative, the EU has engaged with several African countries, including the DRC, Zambia, Rwanda, and Namibia, through various MOUs. These agreements aim to foster collaboration in integrating sustainable raw materials value chains, mobilizing funds for infrastructure development, promoting sustainable and responsible production practices, encouraging research and innovation, and enhancing capacity building efforts.

In this context, the Industry Leaders Forum: Driving Innovative Minerals Production at CMA 2024 will investigate crucial trends in the African and global critical minerals landscape. Leaders will engage in discussions on how initiatives such as the AGMS, MSP, and European CRM Act will influence the future of sustainable mineral production and global supply chains.

CMA is the largest gathering of critical mineral stakeholders in Africa. Taking place from November 6 – 7 in Cape Town, the event positions Africa as the primary investment destination for critical minerals. This year’s edition takes place under the theme Innovate, Enact, Invest in African Critical Minerals to Sustain Global Growth, connecting African mining projects and regulators with global investors and stakeholders to untap the full potential of the continent’s raw materials. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.