The International Commodity Summit (ICS) 2025, acting as a strategic ally at Africa Energy Week (AEW 2025), reinforced its position as a driving force for collaboration among the mining, energy, and industrialization sectors. ICS2025’s involvement in Africa Mining Week 2025 in Cape Town highlighted its dedication to fostering dialogue among policymakers, investors, and industry leaders aiming to unlock Africa’s mineral resources and move towards a sustainable energy future.

This week-long event became a focal point for essential discussions on policy reform, value addition, and innovation within Africa’s resource economies, with a strong focus on regional cooperation and boosting investor confidence. Central to these discussions was a high-level panel led by Dr. Atul Araya, Senior Vice President and Chief Energy Strategist at S&P Global Insights, who facilitated an engaging exchange on the development of the mining sector in Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Nigeria. Dr. Araya, renowned for his data-driven insights into global commodity markets, described Africa’s mining sector as being at a “turning point.”

“Africa possesses the world’s largest reserves of minerals essential for the energy transition, yet it receives less than five percent of global greenfield exploration investment,” he remarked. “Realizing this potential necessitates decisive governance, clear policies, and a cohesive approach to energy and infrastructure.”

 

Zimbabwe: Building an Industrial Future Through Value Addition

Zimbabwe’s Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Winston Chitango presented the nation’s Vision 2030, a strategic plan aimed at elevating the country to an upper-middle-income economy by the year 2030, with mining serving as a crucial growth driver. To encourage domestic processing and industrialization, the government has prohibited the export of all raw ores. Minister Chitango shared updates on the development of a platinum group metals (PGM) refinery, which is expected to be operational in two years. Additionally, the country’s lithium beneficiation policy, set to commence in January 2027, will ban the export of lithium concentrates, marking a significant move towards retaining local value in a resource essential to the global electric vehicle market.

“We are transitioning from a resource-export model to a production-based economy,” Chitango stated. “The private sector is responding positively, with three mineral processing industrial parks already under construction.” Zimbabwe is also focusing on its energy infrastructure, with increased investments in thermal and solar power generation and electricity imports from regional power pools to support industrial expansion.

The DRC: Reforming for Competitiveness

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), efforts to reform the mining sector are ongoing, with the aim of attracting fresh investment and technology. Hon. Louis Watum Kabamba, Minister of Industry and the Development of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises emphasized that while the DRC has traditionally depended on ore exports, it is now transitioning its approach through the establishment of special economic zones (SEZs) to facilitate investor participation.

These SEZs are intended to overcome bureaucratic hurdles and foster technology collaborations, especially in the processing of copper and cobalt, which are crucial for the global energy transition and AI-driven industries. “Copper plays a pivotal role in the electrification of transport and enhancing energy efficiency,” Minister Kabamba stated. “Our plan is to shift from exporting raw ores to exporting finished products, thereby retaining more value within our country.” Kabamba also highlighted the increasing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in exploration. “AI has already demonstrated its value by reducing the uncertainty and time required for greenfield exploration, and it has been instrumental in the rapid discovery of new cobalt deposits in Zambia,” he noted.

Nonetheless, challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, high logistics costs, and reliance on diesel generators due to power shortages persist. Overcoming these obstacles is seen as crucial for reducing operational expenses and enhancing investor confidence.

In Nigeria, the mining sector, which has long been overshadowed by oil and gas, is receiving renewed focus. The government is revising the 2007 Mining Act and 2011 Mining Regulations to better align with private sector expectations, enhance regulatory certainty, and encourage investment.

The country’s ambitious goal is to increase mining’s contribution to GDP from less than 1% to between 3% and 5% within five years. Key to this plan are improved road and port infrastructure, enhanced security in mining areas, and incentives for foreign direct investment. Nigeria’s reform initiatives were praised by investors and analysts at the summit, who pointed out that policy clarity and institutional reform are essential for attracting new capital.

Human Capital and the Future of Mining

A common theme emerged in all three countries: the importance of developing human capital. Since Africa’s median age is under 20, this young population brings both opportunities and challenges. The panelists emphasized that building skills, offering technical training, and providing mentorship are key to helping local communities take part in the expected mining growth.

Dr. Araya concluded the session by noting that governance, transparency, and technology adoption must go hand in hand with workforce development to create a sustainable mining ecosystem.

 

Championing Women in Mining: Leadership Beyond Legislation

Africa Mining Week 2025, while mainly centered on policy and production, also served as a platform to showcase the growing participation of women in the mining and construction sectors. Female leaders from various parts of the mining industry discussed issues like gender diversity, leadership, and organizational culture in fields traditionally dominated by men.

Anjana Turner, Principal at Anjana Turner Law in the United States, stressed the need for a sustainable talent pipeline. “We must create pathways for women to ascend to leadership roles. Representation alone is insufficient; we need women in decision-making and negotiation spaces where real influence is exerted,” Turner asserted.

Emma Townshend, Executive for Corporate Affairs at Impala Platinum and board member of Women in Platinum Group Metals, reflected on her own transition from financial markets to mining. “South Africa’s legislative framework has opened doors, but success ultimately hinges on merit and expertise. Influence in the boardroom is not gender-specific; it’s about contributing value,” she stated.

Lili Nupen, Co-Founder and Director of NSDV Law, where 70% of the legal team are women, spoke openly about challenging stereotypes. “In the early days, I was often the only woman and the youngest in the room. But once your voice is heard, perceptions change,” she said. “At NSDV, we encourage every team member to build their own brand and participate in decision-making.”

Townshend and Turner both emphasized that mentorship is as crucial as legislation in ensuring that women not only enter but excel in leadership roles. The panel also discussed the advantage of emotional intelligence often linked with female leadership, reframing it as a strength in managing teams and fostering inclusive organizational cultures.

“There is a time and place for positive emotion in business; it’s a leadership skill,” Townshend remarked. “Women’s awareness of emotional dynamics can enhance decision-making and company culture.” The session concluded with a consensus that diversity is not merely a compliance task but a business necessity;  one that drives innovation, performance, and sustainability in the mining and construction industries.

 

ICS: Connecting the Dots Between Energy, Mining, and Industrialisation

By partnering with Africa Energy Week 2025 and Africa Mining Week 2025, the International Commodity Summit 2025(ICS2025) is reinforcing its role as a central hub for discussions and investments in Africa’s resource industries. ICS is aligning commodity markets with Africa’s goals for industrialization and energy transition, fostering a long-term vision of interconnected value chains that support inclusive growth, resilience, and competitiveness.

“The time for isolated industries has passed,” stated Cherrylee Samson, Vice President of Hibarri. “Our mission is to connect mining, energy, and technology, ensuring that Africa’s resources generate value not only through exports but also within industries, communities, and future developments.”