Africa’s critical role in the global mining and energy transition is set to take center stage this October as Cape Town prepares to host African Mining Week (AMW) 2025, a high-level forum expected to accelerate investment, innovation, and sustainable practices across the continent’s mineral economies.
Held from October 1 to 3, AMW 2025 will run under the theme “From Extraction to Beneficiation: Unlocking Africa’s Mineral Wealth.” The conference aims to unite stakeholders from across Africa and the global mining ecosystem to forge new partnerships, facilitate deal-making, and promote technological solutions to persistent challenges in the sector.
As global demand for critical minerals continues to rise, driven by the clean energy transition and the rise of electric vehicles, Africa finds itself at a strategic crossroads. According to international projections, mineral production must increase by nearly 500 percent by 2050 to meet global climate targets. With Africa holding an estimated 30 percent of the world’s critical minerals, from lithium and cobalt to rare earth elements, the continent is fast becoming a focal point for mineral supply chains.
AMW 2025 is positioning itself as a launchpad for this shift, not only as a space for investment but also as a platform for policy transformation. African countries including Zimbabwe, Angola, and Ghana are leveraging the event to showcase ambitious mining strategies. Zimbabwe plans to build a US$12 billion mining economy by 2030. Angola is targeting a surge in diamond production to over 17 million carats by 2027. Ghana is eyeing an output of 8 million tons of manganese in 2025. Such targets are tied directly to increased foreign capital inflow and local beneficiation, themes central to the AMW agenda.
The event will also focus heavily on innovation and technology. From AI-powered resource mapping to youth-led robotics initiatives, discussions will address how new tools can revolutionize extraction while minimizing environmental impact. Technical sessions and workshops are expected to attract a diverse mix of government representatives, junior miners, private equity groups, and tech developers.
International partnerships will be another key element of the event. AMW will feature strategic roundtables aimed at strengthening collaborations between African countries and global powers such as the United States, China, and members of the European Union. These sessions are seen as crucial for shaping long-term cooperation on critical mineral infrastructure, especially in light of shifting geopolitical supply chain priorities.
Read also: President Tinubu to spotlight Nigeria’s energy reform strategy at African Energy Week 2025
Special forums will highlight the inclusion of underrepresented groups in the sector. A Women in Leadership Forum will focus on dismantling barriers and increasing female representation in mining leadership, while a Junior Miners Forum will spotlight entrepreneurial and employment opportunities for youth across the continent’s mineral landscape.
African Mining Week 2025 will be held alongside African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies, further aligning mining with Africa’s energy future. As demand for clean energy technology continues to surge, so too does the demand for critical minerals. The International Energy Agency projects that demand for lithium could increase tenfold by 2050, while cobalt is expected to triple and nickel to double. Africa’s ability to fill this gap may determine its economic trajectory for decades to come.
Read also: Africa steps boldly into the future of clean energy at the Green Hydrogen Summit 2025
Organizers say the co-location of the two conferences is no coincidence. With overlapping priorities and shared challenges, mining and energy sectors are increasingly interdependent. From grid electrification to battery supply chains, the convergence of these industries could define Africa’s role in the global green economy.
In a time where mineral-rich nations are rethinking their development models, African Mining Week 2025 is shaping up as more than just a conference. It is a strategic intervention, one that could help African nations move beyond raw extraction to localized beneficiation, sustainable growth, and stronger bargaining power on the global stage.
