Valerie Levkov
VP, Infrastructure World Bank Group
Valérie Levkov is the Vice President for Infrastructure at the World Bank Group (WBG), leading global efforts to advance sustainable infrastructure in developing and emerging economies. In this capacity, she drives initiatives that support the WBG’s priorities of job creation, climate resilience and private capital mobilization. Her portfolio encompasses energy, minerals, transport, urban development, tourism, disaster risk management, and the integration of sustainable practices across all infrastructure sectors. She is also a senior champion of Mission 300, an ambitious initiative to connect 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa to electricity by 2030. Valérie joined the WBG in 2024 as Global Industry Director at IFC for the energy and minerals sectors, bringing more than three decades of experience from Électricité de France (EDF), where she held senior leadership positions including Senior Vice President for Africa and the Middle East. In that role, she led over 40 major energy projects across more than 10 African countries. She holds Master’s degrees in Telecommunications from École Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications (Bretagne) and in Business and Procurement from Institut d’Administration des Entreprises (Grenoble).
2026 Agenda Sessions
Powering the future – The World Bank Group’s support to Africa’s minerals and metals
This Industry Intel Session will spotlight the World Bank Group’s minerals and metals approach and its holistic, multisectoral support to Africa’s mining and energy transition priorities. The discussion will explore how Africa’s mineral endowment can be transformed into broad-based and lasting development through responsible exploration and production, improved governance, investment in critical infrastructure, value addition, skills development, and meaningful private-sector engagement.
Through a high-level dialogue between government representatives, industry leaders, investors, and the World Bank Group, the session will examine practical pathways to collaboration and delivery. Panelists will discuss what success looks like from their perspectives, where support is most needed, and how public and private actors can jointly shape competitive, resilient, and inclusive mineral value chains across the continent.
The session will feature a forward-looking conversation informed by real implementation experience, case examples, and market developments. It will help define priorities, highlight opportunities, and reinforce partnerships that position Africa as a leader in the global energy transition.
Monday 09 February 13:45 - 15:15 Serengeti Stage (CTICC2 - Level 3)
This Industry Intel Session will spotlight the World Bank Group’s minerals and metals approach and its holistic, multisectoral support to Africa’s mining and energy transition priorities. The discussion will explore how Africa’s mineral endowment can be transformed into broad-based and lasting development through responsible exploration and production, improved governance, investment in critical infrastructure, value addition, skills development, and meaningful private-sector engagement.
Through a high-level dialogue between government representatives, industry leaders, investors, and the World Bank Group, the session will examine practical pathways to collaboration and delivery. Panelists will discuss what success looks like from their perspectives, where support is most needed, and how public and private actors can jointly shape competitive, resilient, and inclusive mineral value chains across the continent.
The session will feature a forward-looking conversation informed by real implementation experience, case examples, and market developments. It will help define priorities, highlight opportunities, and reinforce partnerships that position Africa as a leader in the global energy transition.
Italy–Africa: Partnership opportunities in critical minerals
The event “Italy–Africa: Partnership Opportunities in Critical Minerals”, will be held with the presence of Vice Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy Valentino Valentini and will deepen the cooperation between Italy and Africa on critical raw materials, with a specific focus on supply‑security requirements and the Italian Government Mattei Plan, the strategic initiative for Africa aimed at fostering equal partnerships grounded in sustainable development. This event addresses the innovative Italian mineral strategy within the European CRM Act, focused on the enhancement of extraction and processing capacities in partner countries. The event will also showcase possible national and multilateral financing tools supporting investments - particularly on risk mitigation, blended finance, and project preparation. It concludes with a corporate segment on “mine‑to‑market” integration, with presentation on Italian and African best practices.
Tuesday 10 February 11:15 - 12:45 Serengeti Stage (CTICC2 - Level 3)
Serengeti Stage (CTICC2 - Level 3) Africa/Johannesburg
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