Can the Manganese industry keep up with the just energy transition?

Gabon is one of the world’s leading producers of high-grade manganese, a critical mineral in steel production and increasingly vital for battery technologies. As global demand rises, Gabon stands at a crossroads: can it move beyond extraction to build a value-added industrial ecosystem that benefits its economy and people? This session explores how strategic partnerships between government, private sector, and international stakeholders can help Gabon leverage its manganese reserves for long-term development. It will examine the role of infrastructure, policy reform, and technology transfer in creating a more resilient and diversified mining sector.