Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Critical raw materials are essential to the twin low-carbon and digital transition and act as a catalyst for economic and social change, particularly in resource-rich developing economies.
Africa, home to more than 30 per cent of the world’s critical raw materials, exemplifies this potential and has recently experienced a surge of interest in associated exploration and investment.
However, several trends in the sector raise a series of challenges. Because of the materials’ significance to the global economy and the twin transition, it is crucial to approach their development effectively, learning from past commodity cycles.
This panel will explore economic policies to address sectoral challenges and leverage emerging opportunities. It will assess how companies are navigating demand- and supply-side uncertainties. Discussions will also focus on strategies to build a secure and sustainable critical raw materials supply chain that supports climate and digital transformation goals while enhancing European-African cooperation. Furthermore, it will examine the crucial role of multilateral development banks in driving growth in resource-rich economies while upholding environmental, social and governance standards.
Speakers:
Lucy Hockings, Chief Presenter, BBC News
Heike Harmgart, Managing Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, EBRD
Giuseppe Foglia, VP - M&A Sustainable Raw Materials, Stellantis
Kweku Awotwi, Chairman of the Board, United Bank for Africa
Robert Yüksel Yildirim, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, CoreX Holding
Salma Seetaroo, CEO, Cashew Coast
Critical raw materials are essential to the twin low-carbon and digital transition and act as a catalyst for economic and social change, particularly in resource-rich developing economies.
Africa, home to more than 30 per cent of the world’s critical raw materials, exemplifies this potential and has recently experienced a surge of interest in associated exploration and investment.
However, several trends in the sector raise a series of challenges. Because of the materials’ significance to the global economy and the twin transition, it is crucial to approach their development effectively, learning from past commodity cycles.
This panel will explore economic policies to address sectoral challenges and leverage emerging opportunities. It will assess how companies are navigating demand- and supply-side uncertainties. Discussions will also focus on strategies to build a secure and sustainable critical raw materials supply chain that supports climate and digital transformation goals while enhancing European-African cooperation. Furthermore, it will examine the crucial role of multilateral development banks in driving growth in resource-rich economies while upholding environmental, social and governance standards.
Speakers:
Lucy Hockings, Chief Presenter, BBC News
Heike Harmgart, Managing Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, EBRD
Giuseppe Foglia, VP - M&A Sustainable Raw Materials, Stellantis
Kweku Awotwi, Chairman of the Board, United Bank for Africa
Robert Yüksel Yildirim, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, CoreX Holding
Salma Seetaroo, CEO, Cashew Coast
