The gathering, which concludes on Thursday, takes place as demand for energy‑transition minerals continues to accelerate worldwide, prompting renewed calls for sustainable extraction, inclusive growth and increased value addition on the African continent.
This year’s discussions centre on how Africa can position itself as a competitive supplier of critical minerals, from copper and cobalt to platinum‑group metals and rare earths, while ensuring that the continent moves beyond being merely a source of raw materials.
SA’s Minister of Mineral Resources and Petroleum, Gwede Mantashe, emphasised the need for coordinated policy approaches across African governments. “We need to talk about export earnings and their contribution to development on the continent,” he said.
Delivering a keynote address, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema underscored the strategic importance of Africa’s mineral wealth, warning that no commodity should be overlooked in the global race for energy‑transition inputs.
“Every metal, every resource is a critical resource,” Hichilema said. “From the devices in our hands to the electricity in our homes, minerals are everywhere.” Hichilema praised SA’s leadership in strengthening cross‑border cooperation.
“There is individual national interest, that is true. But there is greater strength in collaboration,” he said. Zambia, one of the world’s leading copper producers, has renewed ambitions to expand output as global demand rises.
Speaking on financing challenges in the sector, Helen Lubamba, Head of Corporate and Investment Banking at Standard Bank Zambia, said long‑term investment depends heavily on policy stability.
“Mining is a commodity sector requiring long‑term capital, and commodity prices are beyond anyone’s control,” she explained. “What you need is a stable investment environment and stable policy, that’s where the real constraint lies.”
Lubamba added that Africa continues to suffer from what she described as a “perception premium”, the higher cost of capital linked to perceived investment risk on the continent.
“This premium adds significantly to the cost of funding,” she said. “Over the years, Zambia has faced several policy uncertainties affecting the mining investment environment.” Industry leaders say reducing this perception gap will be critical if African economies are to fully benefit from the global minerals boom.
–ChannelAfrica–
