CMAG, in partnership with DLA Piper, was pleased to host an in-person panel discussion, ‘Building Sustainable Infrastructure for Critical Minerals in Africa’, which brought together stakeholders across the infrastructure, finance, energy, logistics, and critical minerals value chains.

The panel examined how Africa can accelerate the development of sustainable, resilient infrastructure to support mineral extraction, processing, and value addition, amid rapidly growing global demand and increasing strategic competition.

Speakers

• Jhony Limo – Executive Management Advisor, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
• Folaseto Akin-Olugbade – Investment Director, Africa50 Group
• Nuno Chaves Frota – Chief Legal & Compliance Officer, Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR)
• Veronica Bolton Smith – Chief Executive Officer, CMAG (Moderator)

Quotes from our expert panellists:

• “We need to make sure those foundations are there — power, water, infrastructure — to create the jobs that are needed.”
• “We are really striving to make sure Africa gets a good deal out of these minerals, and that we don’t repeat the mistakes of the past.”
• “The scale of what’s required means no single actor can do this alone.”

Please note this session was held under Chatham House rules.

Key takeaways from the discussion included:

• Infrastructure must be developed at a corridor and systems level.
  Integrated transport corridors, deep-water ports, and efficient logistics networks are essential to enabling mineral exports at scale, lowering costs, and strengthening regional connectivity. Fragmented, project-by-project approaches risk limiting long-term impact.
• Energy infrastructure is foundational to value creation.
  Reliable, affordable, and scalable power is critical not only for mining operations but also for processing, beneficiation, and industrialisation. Expanding national and regional grids, improving reliability, and accelerating investment in renewable and transition energy solutions are central to competitiveness and sustainability.
• Policy certainty underpins investment.
  Clear, stable, and predictable regulatory frameworks, including transparent permitting processes and alignment between national and regional strategies, are essential to reducing risk and improving bankability.
• Public–private collaboration is essential.
  The scale and complexity of infrastructure required cannot be delivered by governments or the private sector alone. Blended finance, guarantees, and development finance participation were highlighted as critical tools, provided projects are commercially viable.
• Environmental and social considerations are critical success factors.
  Early integration of environmental sustainability, meaningful community engagement, and local economic participation is essential to securing social licence, minimising delays, and delivering durable development outcomes.
• Africa must secure greater value from its critical minerals.
  Infrastructure planning and investment should ensure local economic benefits, industrialisation, and inclusive development, avoiding past extractive models.

Overall, the discussion reinforced a shared view that sustainable infrastructure is foundational to Africa’s critical minerals ambitions. Success will depend on long-term partnerships, integrated planning across sectors and borders, and deliberate alignment of commercial objectives with broader developmental, social, and environmental goals.

CMAG extends its sincere thanks to DLA Piper for hosting and supporting the discussion.