2026 Agenda Sessions

How can African countries leverage the rise of new investors in critical minerals?

Africa’s critical minerals are attracting a wider range of investors, from private equity and climate-tech funds to blended-finance vehicles and state-backed strategic capital. At the same time, capital flows are shifting eastward, with Gulf sovereign funds and Middle Eastern industrial groups expanding their presence across lithium, graphite, nickel, and rare earths. These investors operate with very different logics. This session focuses on how different capital types assess risk, structure deals, and engage with governments – and what that means for African developers seeking financing that actually moves projects from agreement to construction.