Cape Town, South Africa, August 2025 – This October, thousands of commodities merchants from across Africa and the world will gather in Cape Town for the International commodities Summit 2025 (ICS2025). With over half a million active commodity traders in Africa and predictions that number would rise to over one million by 2030, the summit comes at a critical juncture.
Global industrial demand, technical innovation, and market volatility have all contributed to the global boom in commodities trading. Traders are stepping in to control risk and secure access to vital resources as supply chains are under increasing pressure from energy transitions, climate shocks, and geopolitical conflicts.
The demand for minerals like copper, lithium, and cobalt is rising in emerging countries, especially in Asia and Africa, and a new generation of merchants is entering the market because of digitization lowering entry barriers.
Early in 2025, the price of several commodities increased, but many have subsequently fallen because of several causes, including a faltering global economy and plentiful supply.
Nevertheless, global trading volumes are also growing because of institutional investors using commodities as a hedge against inflation and uncertainty. With mining at the centre of this dynamic movement, these forces are working together to change the face of global commodity trading.
Africa’s Role in Global Commodity Markets Expands Across Mining, Energy, and Agriculture
This increase demonstrates Africa’s expanding presence in the world’s commodity markets, which include the metals, agricultural, and energy sectors. The continent’s varied trading network connects its plentiful natural resources with consumers across the globe, from petroleum traders in Nigeria to lithium brokers in Zimbabwe and cocoa exporters in Côte d’Ivoire.
African commodity traders of today are tech-savvy, dynamic businessmen and women, who negotiate agreements in real time utilizing fintech tools, satellite data, and WhatsApp. Traders quickly adjust to different commodities and markets, representing a new era of trade that goes beyond conventional approaches.
ICS2025 Opens Access to Cross-Border Trade and Mining Supply Chains
The ICS2025 will remove financial barriers and promote cross-border business by providing free entrance to all African exporters to encourage this evolution. The registration price, which ranges from $250 to $450 for international buyers and institutional participants, guarantees a professional and concentrated setting.
“The International Commodity Summit 2025 is a marketplace for Africa’s future, not just another conference,” stated Vice President of Hibarri, Cherrylee Samson.
“By providing African commodity traders with direct access to international buyers, we are enabling the mining, energy, and agricultural sectors to realize previously unheard-of levels of value.”
ICS2025 will bring together thousands of certified African traders, buyers from over 40 countries, government authorities, commodities exchanges, trade financiers, logistics and compliance specialists, and more, over the course of three days. The summit tackles a persistent issue: bringing together buyers and reliable suppliers in Africa’s dispersed markets. The summit will expedite deal-making by centralizing sourcing and verification, saving everyone involved money and time.
Africa’s Commodity Traders Are Earning More and Formalizing Faster
With revenues that vary by industry, African commodity traders are essential to the economy. Metal and mineral merchants can earn between $75,000 and $250,000 a year, whereas agricultural traders usually make between $3,000 and $50,000.
Major contracts in the energy sector, especially in gas and petroleum, can pay energy merchants up to $500,000. Incomes are anticipated to increase as traders formalize and get access to platforms like the AfCFTA and regional exchanges.
Seyi Kumapayi, Executive Director of African subsidiaries at Access Bank plc states that the problem is the lack of access to information, and lack of trust among trading partners on the continent. As well as the lack of access to correctly priced finance, that remain the three main obstacles that must be addressed if trade in Africa is to advance significantly.
“How do you enhance finance for the guy in Ghana to buy from the guy in Cameroon? This problem of access to capital is a huge obstacle to trade in Africa,” he said.
“What is needed is a financial services sector that enables businesses to access capital to invest in growth as well as innovation, and the capacity needed to take their business to other countries. “It is up to the African banks to help create solutions.”
ICS2025 Backs Formalization, Investment, and Economic Sovereignty
The International Commodity Summit 2025 envisions that traders convening will stabilize markets, create jobs, and construct nations. With the help of governments, development banks, and international organizations, the summit seeks to increase access to financing, training, and deal flow to turn unorganized traders into internationally renowned exporters.
“ Africa’s economic independence could be advanced by 2030 with the unlocking of billions of dollars in export earnings through digitization and regional integration; and the summit aims to speed up the process”, Samson said.
