Industrialisation
Mining Industrialisation
Creating value addition through industryShifting away from a historic reliance on raw mineral exports, Africa’s focus must move toward in country value addition and the development of mid stream processing and upgrading capabilities. From miners and off takers to industrialists and manufacturers, as well as governments and investors, all stakeholders share responsibility for building industrial ecosystems that support local beneficiation while remaining globally competitive. At Mining Indaba, this content pillar explores how African countries can capture greater value from their minerals by strengthening processing capacity, supply chains and skills, while creating mutually beneficial opportunities to export higher value, finished and semi finished products.
2026 Sessions Spotlighting This Pillar
The sessions below are taken from the February 2026 agenda and showcase the topics explored within this content pillar. The Mining Indaba 2027 agenda will be announced soon.
Can Africa's mining industry thrive in an age of conflict and global uncertainty?
Geopolitical tensions, supply-chain volatility, and domestic instability continue to reshape investor risk profiles. How can African markets insulate themselves from unpredictable geopolitical uncertainties while building resilience and sovereignty?
Speakers
Valère Moutarlier
Deputy Director-General for Industry, Directorate-General for the Internal Market
European Commission
Moderator
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Amandine Gnanguênon
Senior Fellow, Head of Geopolitics & Geoeconomics Program
Africa Policy Research Institute
Can the Manganese industry keep up with the just energy transition?
Manganese is a critical input for the energy transition, supporting steelmaking, infrastructure and emerging battery technologies, yet rising demand is placing increasing pressure on supply chains. This session will examine whether the manganese industry is equipped to scale responsibly, exploring how investment, policy and ESG expectations can be aligned to ensure the sector supports decarbonisation while delivering fair and inclusive outcomes for producing countries.
Speakers
Moderator
How can Africa close its transmission infrastructure gap to power mining and industrial growth?
Africa’s energy challenge is no longer generation, but the transmission and distribution of electricity. Mining operations, industrial parks, and communities are constrained by the lack of grid connectivity. How can governments, utilities, and the private sector mobilise capital and policy reform to expand transmission capacity?
Speakers
Andrew Etzinger
General Manager for Energy Market Services and International Trader
National Transmission Company South Africa
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Hon. Aimé Sakombi Molendo
Minister of Hydraulic Resources & Electricity
Democratic Republic of Congo
Moderator
Are shorter trade corridors the blueprint to unlocking Africa’s logistics potential?
WHAT IF Africa’s mining, trading, and logistics companies could bypass traditional, congested routes and instead leverage a new network of shorter, smarter trade corridors? Imagine a future where goods move seamlessly across the continent, distances are dramatically reduced, and supply chains become truly agile.
In this session, panellists will discuss how partnerships with authorities and project developers are bringing these solutions to life, and how each new corridor contributes to a diversified approach to infrastructure and logistics across Africa – enabling companies to access markets more effectively and driving growth along key routes.
Speakers
Moderator
Explore More Content Pillars
Communities
Shared value in actionMI27 focuses on delivering measurable outcomes for host communities through collaboration between governments, mining companies and local stakeholders. The theme highlights skills development, jobs, resilient livelihoods and inclusive decision-making.
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Critical & Strategic Minerals
The African narrativeMI27 reframes the critical minerals conversation through an African lens. The theme explores partnerships, investment and governance needed to unlock mineral potential, support industrialisation and strengthen Africa’s role in global supply chains.
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Disruptive Technologies
Breaking technology boundariesThis theme explores how AI, automation and emerging technologies are transforming mining. Discussions focus on improving efficiency, sustainability, safety and profitability while building smarter, more resilient operations.
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Energy
Users & enablersMI27 examines how mining and energy partnerships can support reliable, sustainable energy systems. The theme focuses on industrial growth, economic development and future-focused energy solutions across Africa.
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Exploration
Unlocking the next generation of mineral discoveryAfrica remains a leading frontier for mineral discovery. This theme explores how technology-enabled exploration can accelerate discoveries, strengthen project pipelines and reduce investment risk in a changing global market.
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Geopolitics
Minerals at the centre of a changing worldAs competition for mineral supply chains intensifies, Africa’s resources are becoming increasingly strategic. MI27 explores how African nations can strengthen partnerships, increase negotiating power and maximise long-term benefits.
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Governance & Policy
Shared vision, shared goalsThis theme explores how stable, transparent and forward-looking regulations can attract investment, strengthen competitiveness and ensure mineral wealth supports long-term development.
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Infrastructure
Strengthening the pillar of progressInfrastructure is key to unlocking Africa’s mineral potential. This theme focuses on investment in transport, power, water and digital networks that support mining growth and regional integration.
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Investment
Partnering for profitMI27 explores how investment partnerships, financing solutions and shared infrastructure projects can unlock mineral resources, improve efficiency and strengthen Africa’s mining competitiveness.
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Leadership
The power of positive changemakersThis theme highlights leaders driving resilience, collaboration and innovation across mining. Discussions focus on strategies that support growth, transformation and global competitiveness.
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Sustainability
Mining with purpose: Strengthen ecosystems and societiesAs mineral demand grows, responsible mining practices are increasingly important. This theme explores renewable energy, water conservation, ethical labour and environmental stewardship to support sustainable industry growth.
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