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A pivotal player in the global energy transition

Africa hosts abundant reserves of critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, rare earth elements, platinum group metals (PGMs), copper, and graphite, positioning the continent as a pivotal player in the global energy transition.

The Critical Minerals Africa Summit links African mining projects and regulatory authorities with global industry stakeholders and financiers, unlocking vast opportunities across Africa's diverse regions.

Did you know? Africa holds

85%

OF THE WORLD'S MANGANESE

80%

OF THE WORLD'S PLATINUM AND CHROMIUM

47%

OF THE WORLD'S COBALT

21%

OF THE WORLD'S GRAPHITE

Southern Africa

Southern Africa is rich in PGMs, cobalt, copper, lithium, uranium, chromium, manganese, vanadium, and rare earth elements, offering promising prospects for both local development and global supply chains.

  • South Africa holds 90% of global PGM reserves and contributes 74% of global supply.
  • Zambia ranks as the eighth-largest copper producer globally, with plans to increase output from 880.8 thousand metric tons to 1 million metric tons by 2026
  • Zimbabwe boasts 5% of the world’s lithium reserves, and with several exploration, production and processing projects underway is set to become the world’s next lithium valley. The country targets to produce 20% of the world’s lithium supply by 2030.

East Africa

East Africa holds vast critical mineral reserves including lithium, tantalum, niobium, rare earth elements, graphite, and gemstones, crucial for modern industries.

  • Mozambique contributes 12% of the world’s graphite supply, while its East African counterpart Madagascar adds another 9%, crucial for the production of lithium-ion batteries.
  • Rwanda ranks as the world’s third-largest tantalum producer, essential for electronics, aerospace, and medical devices, while Tanzania stands as a top global producer of gemstones.

Critical Mineral opportunities in Africa

Central Africa

  • The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) holds the world's largest cobalt reserves, with over 3.4 million tons in southern DRC alone, comprising 74% of global supply. With global cobalt demand projected to triple by 2025, the country and the region will be crucial in meeting this demand.
  • Additionally, the DRC boasts significant copper reserves, ranking seventh globally.
  • Moreover, the Central African country leads as the world’s top tantalum producer, contributing 43% of global supply.

West Africa

  • Nigeria stands as the fourth largest tantalum-mining country globally, offering lucrative opportunities for global investors eyeing the region's growing critical minerals sector.
  • Meanwhile, Ghana has set an ambitious target to annually produce over 300,000 tons of lithium

Sponsor or Exhibit

Position your brand at the forefront of Africa’s critical minerals sector. Whether you’re looking to showcase your innovative products and services, create brand awareness or be seen as thought leaders, our sponsorship and showcase options are tailored to suit your business objectives. 

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Attend as a Delegate

Critical Minerals Africa connects you with government and private sector stakeholders to engage on a bilateral and multilateral level, to advance critical minerals production and processing, and plan strategic roadmaps for minerals and energy security.

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