from Partners and Official Delegation Leaders

Explore Africa’s transformative vision for its critical minerals sector through a high-level ministerial session, centered on harnessing the continent’s vast mineral wealth, cementing its geopolitical status in the critical minerals supply chain and ensuring the creation of value-added industries.
Chair: Dr. Marit Y. Kitaw, Interim Director, African Minerals Development Center (AMDC), Ethiopia

Panelists:

• Hon. Martin Gama Abucha, Minister of Mines, Republic of South Sudan
• Hon. Monica Chang’anamuno, Minister of Mining, Republic of Malawi
• Hon. Antoinette N’Samba Kalambayi, Minister of Mines, Democratic Republic of the Congo (TBC)
• Hon. Dr. Steven L. Kiruswa, Deputy Minister of Minerals, United Republic of Tanzania
• Mr. Leon Godza, Director of Energy Minerals, Ministry of Mines & Mining Development,
  Republic of Zimbabwe

• Mr. Josh Volz, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe, Eurasia, Africa and the Middle East, U.S. Department of Energy

• Amb. Antony Phillipson, British High Commissioner to South Africa

• Mr. Fulgencio Garrido Ruiz, Charge d’Affaires, Delegation of the European Union to South Africa

• Ms. Maria Alejandra Vlek, Commercial Section: Minister, Embassy of Argentina

This session shines a spotlight on the role of the private sector in the exploration of Africa’s critical minerals and
explores avenues for new investments, sustainable growth and public- private collaboration.

Moderator: Ms. Bimbola Kolawole, Vice President & Head of Business Development – Africa, Rystad Energy

Panelists:

• Ms. Marna Cloete, Chief Executive Officer, Ivanhoe Mines
•  Mr. Tim George, Executive Director & CEO, Pensana Plc
•  Mr. Thomas Gono, President, Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe
• Ms. Gabriella Oken, Global Energy Lead: Accenture Development Partnerships, Accenture
• Dr. Markus Thill, President: Region Africa, Robert Bosch (Pty) Ltd
• Ms. Shirley Webber, Head of Natural Resources & Energy, Absa Group

• Mr. Roberto Cecutti, Head of Trade and Economics, EU Delegation to South Africa
• Mr. Sodhie Naicker, Managing Director: DMT Kai Batla – Consortium Partner: AfricaMaVal

• This session dives into the challenges, opportunities and strategies associated with Africa’s critical minerals sector –
  specifically, Rare Earth Elements (REE) – providing an understanding of the region’s potential and its pivotal role in
  meeting rising demand.

  Moderator: Mr. Olivier Barbeau, Managing Partner and EMR Leader for Africa, Moore Global

  Panelists:

• Mr. Petur Georgesson, Founder and CEO, Technology Metals Market
• Mr. Jude Kearney, Chair of the Sub-Saharan Africa Committee, Export-Import Bank of the United States and
  Managing Partner of ASAFO & Co. US Office
• Mr. Nick Mitchell, Chief Operating Officer, Renergen
• Mr. Lloyd Pengilly, Chairman, Qoracapital
• Ms. Patricia Rodrigues, Associate Director, Control Risks
• Mr. Ibitola Ukabam, Associate Vice President: Natural Resources (Oil & Gas and Mining), Africa Finance
  Corporation
• Mr. Jonathan Veeran, Partner, Webber Wentzel
•  

Positioning Africa at the center of activities, this session champions the role of local and regional mineral supply chains
and explores how technology, sustainable practices and strategic planning can ensure stable and secure critical
minerals supplies.
Moderator: Ms. Olimpia Pilch, Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Critical Minerals International Alliance

Panelists:

• Mr. Kwasi Ampofo, Head of Metals and Mining, BloombergNEF
• Mr. Alex Benkenstein, Head of the Climate and Natural Resources Programme, South African Institute of
  International Affairs (SAIIA)
• Dr. Marit Y. Kitaw, Interim Director, African Minerals Development Center (AMDC)
• Mr. Deshan Naido, Managing Director, AQORA
• Mr. Duma Sisulu, Co-Founder & Chief Analyst, Parime Battery Minerals

This session addresses the integration of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles into Africa’s existing mining exploration and production activities. It explores how responsible and ethical practices can contribute to the long-term profitability and economic viability of Africa’s critical minerals sector.

Moderator:

Mr. Christopher Vandome, Senior Research Fellow: Africa Programme, Chatham House

Panelists:

• Ms. Anja Berretta, Head of the Energy Security and Climate Change in Sub-Saharan Africa programme, Konrad
  Adenauer Foundation
• Ms. Cathie Lewis, Head of ESG, GCX
• Mr. Patrick Prestele, Consultant, Frost & Sullivan
• Ms. Selleen Sewpershad, Project Manager: Competence Centre for Mining & Mineral Resources, Southern
  African German Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Cllr. Beverley van Reenen, Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, City of Cape Town

Gain a comprehensive understanding of the untapped mineral potential of Angola, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and South Sudan, as they seek to attract new capital and technology investments to their mining sectors. These Country Spotlight sessions delve into the respective mineral reserves, regulatory frameworks and current and planned mining activities of each nation.