Sub-Saharan Africa, which holds 30% of the world’s proven critical mineral reserves, is increasingly attracting investor interest due to the growing global demand for clean energy technologies. At the upcoming Critical Minerals Africa Summit in Cape Town, Africa’s leading ministers will explore key partnership and investment opportunities to advance the mining sector’s growth.
The Ministerial Forum, themed “Empowering Africa’s Critical Minerals Industry for Global Leadership,” will feature high-level discussions on the impact of policy frameworks, infrastructure development, and international collaboration on Africa’s critical minerals sector. Panelists include South Sudan’s Minister of Mines Martin Gama Abucha, Malawi’s Minister of Mining Monica Chang’anamuno, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Minister of Industry and the Development of SMEs Louis Kabamba Watum and Eswatini’s Minister of Natural Resources and Energy HRH Prince Lonkhokhela.
The Critical Minerals Africa Summit, scheduled for November 6–7 in Cape Town, is the largest gathering of stakeholders in the critical minerals sector in Africa. This year’s theme, “Innovate, Enact, Invest in African Critical Minerals to Sustain Global Growth,” aims to position Africa as a leading investment destination for critical minerals. The event will connect African mining projects and regulators with global investors and stakeholders.
As African mineral producers work to attract private sector investments, creating a strong regulatory environment is crucial for sustainable development and maximizing local economic benefits. The ministerial panel will address best practices and guidelines for resource extraction, environmental protection, and revenue-sharing with local communities. Countries like the DRC and Zambia are introducing regulations to promote local processing of minerals such as cobalt and lithium. The African Continental Free Trade Area is expected to enhance cross-border trade in minerals, integrating the sector and boosting intra-African trade.
Infrastructure development is also vital for the sector’s growth. Efficient transportation networks, including railways, roads, and ports, are essential for moving minerals from mining sites to processing facilities and global markets. Reliable and affordable electricity is crucial for mining operations and processing plants. Key projects include the Lobito Corridor, a 1,300-km railway line for transporting minerals from the Copperbelt region to global markets, and a series of wind and solar power plants in South Africa and Zambia, ranging from 135 MW to 430 MW.
International cooperation between African governments and multinational corporations, development agencies, and foreign governments is also crucial. Initiatives like the EU’s Global Gateway and the US Minerals Security Partnership are supporting sustainable mining practices and securing supply chains for minerals such as cobalt, lithium and rare earth elements. These efforts include capacity-building programs, technology transfer, and investments in local processing facilities, aiming to ensure that African countries benefit economically from their mineral wealth through value addition and development.
