Conference
The Africa Roundtable N°9
New Models for Africa-Europe Critical Mineral Partnerships
Conference: The Africa Roundtable N°9
December 4, 2025
Berlin
By 2050, global demand for critical raw materials will increase by 500 percent, with approximately one-third of these resources located in Africa. Yet, despite holding such large reserves, the continent has captured only a fraction of their economic value, while global competition intensifies, particularly from China, and Europe struggles to secure diversified supply chains.
The ninth edition of The Africa Roundtable brought together leaders from politics, business, and civil society to reimagine this relationship. How can Europe and Africa build partnerships that turn raw material wealth into local value creation?
We explored innovative cooperation models focusing on the foundations of sustainable industrialization: infrastructure investment, technology transfer, and workforce development. Drawing on analyses from our knowledge partners McKinsey & Company and ACET, discussions addressed investment barriers and opportunities for processing raw materials locally.

Selected Speakers
Program
Contact Persons
Stephanie Igunbor, s.igunbor@globalperspectives.org
Supported by
ACET African Center for Economic Transformation
GIZ Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit
BDI Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie
BMZ Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung
Conference
In this large-scale format, we offer a platform for experiences and expertise. In close cooperation with our partner organizations, we gather many people around one shared topic.
Program Archive
This paper explores how Africa can add value to its critical minerals, boost local processing, and drive green industrialization while strengthening regional and global supply chains.
We discussed with State Secretary Niels Annen how development policy can be integrated into networked foreign, security, and economic policies.
US tariffs changes are causing new uncertainties in global trade. Together with ONE and Pinelopi K. Goldberg, we discussed how international development policy needs to be realigned.
As traditional trade relations shift, strengthening local value chains, enhancing trade agreements, and mobilizing private capital are key to building more resilient and mutually beneficial economies.
Our speaker James Irungu Mwangi shared his perspective on how to accelerate climate action and investment across Africa. Together, we discussed what it will take to mobilize the green finance needed.
Germany is a country of immigration. Building on our Commission's recommendations for action, we discussed ways to better manage and communicate labor migration.
Europe and Africa have the chance to advance technology and shape the future of the global space economy together through cooperation.
Amid shifting global dynamics, investing in Africa’s strengths in renewable energy and climate action is more urgent than ever. The action recommendations of the eighth conference.
How can Germany build strong, sustainable relationships with countries in the Global South that benefit both sides? At HSC 2025, we continued the dialogue on the Commission's recommendations.




















