Andrea Tiacoh-Sanogo, Associate: Metals & Mining at AFC, emphasized the bank’s role as a developer investor, noting that partnerships across the region are essential to unlocking the continent’s potential.

“We can’t be doing things in clusters. Partnerships are the most important thing across the region,” she said.

She said AFC is working with governments to shape enabling policies and with technology providers to ensure effective solutions are deployed.

With $15 billion in investment required annually in infrastructure and an estimated $1.5 trillion needed over the next decade, she underscored the urgency for collaboration not only in mining but across the broader ecosystem to meet Africa’s financing and infrastructure demands.

Mansoor Hamayun, Co-Founder and Chairman of Minexx, drew attention to the lack of local processing in Africa, despite the continent’s mineral wealth.

“Seventy percent of the world’s tantalum comes from the DRC, yet there is little processing. Where the mineral is produced is where it must be processed, hence we want to invest in Africa,” he said.

Hamayun noted that while Minexx is prepared to invest heavily in processing, the business is high volume and low margin, making stable, predictable and investor-friendly tax regimes critical for long-term viability.

Tim George, CEO of Pensana, spoke about the funding challenges faced by artisanal, small-scale, and junior miners, stressing the importance of adopting a phased approach to project development.

He said that building resources, strengthening the workforce and moving beyond production into local value addition are key steps for sustainable industry growth.

Bokang Thitoyamore, CEO of Naledi Mining Services - a subsidiary of Botswana-based mining firm Debswana - outlined the company’s focus on human capital and beneficiation.

“Our focus is upskilling our people to meet the sector’s skills demand. We are also looking ahead to the future of mining, which is increasingly centered on local beneficiation and critical minerals,” he said.