Monday Highlights

In his keynote address, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema positioned mining as central to Africa’s economic renewal and global relevance. Speaking from lived experience, he emphasised that the opportunity lies beyond extraction alone, calling for partnerships that align governments, investors, companies and communities around long-term value creation.

South Africa’s Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, reinforced the importance of partnership through a clear call for collective engagement with global capital. He urged African nations to negotiate as a single economic force, warning that fragmented approaches weaken outcomes on critical minerals, beneficiation and investment terms.

Value addition and beneficiation emerged as defining themes of Day One. Speakers emphasised the need to move beyond exporting raw materials, with affordable energy, water security and integrated infrastructure highlighted as essential enablers. Discussions on exploration, safety performance and regulatory progress reinforced confidence in Africa as an investment destination.

Market-focused sessions grounded Day One’s ambition in commercial reality. Precious metals are entering a more fundamentals-driven phase after a volatile 2025, while battery metals discussions highlighted Africa’s growing role in the global energy transition. Expanding lithium production across the continent underscored Africa’s increasing global footprint.