Recap: “Critical Minerals, Critical Choices” Policy Workshop
The “Critical Minerals, Critical Choices: A Policy Series on Africa’s Sovereignty, Strategy, and Innovation” was designed and convened by The Africa Center in collaboration with hosting partner, The Institute of Global Politics (IGP) at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) on October 21, 2025. The half-day policy series brought together practitioners, researchers, policymakers and industry leaders with the aim to contribute to an Africa-centered mineral governance agenda that can dovetail emerging African-led projects and innovation in the mining sector.
The first two closed-door sessions focused on the risks and opportunities for pan-African cooperation and coordinated bargaining positions in the face of increased geopolitical competition and market value of mineral resources. The roundtables examined the different roles of multilateral and bilateral agreements in developing policy, standards, regulations, value-addition and talent acquisition across the continent, drawing on lessons learned and existing multilateral instruments.
Photo by: Bruce Gilbert
Topics highlighted in the first session on “Standards and Diplomatic Frameworks for Engaging Foreign Investors and Global Powers in Africa’s Mining Sectors” were an exploration of the cross-benefit analysis of unilateral versus multilateral agreements, and of the challenging and often disappointing reality versus continued hope and commitment to cooperation on the continent. In addition, there was a call to reconsider the tools proposed by the African Union and the Pan-African Congress (PAC) that spearheaded independence negotiations in the early 1990s in the United Kingdom. Participants noted that the pivotal Fifth PAC conference in 1945 should offer a path and an orientation to renew the demands for an African agenda that safeguards this landmark work on the independence and sovereignty of African nations.
The second roundtable under the title “The Role of Multilateral vs. Bilateral Agreements in Furthering African Interests in a Multipolar World” explored topics such as the cross-benefit analysis of prioritizing exploration and infrastructure development. There was a concord on the value of artisanal mining and the urgency of engaging and supporting African youth. It was noted that Africa’s power rests in its youthful and abundant human capital, and this asset is at the heart of the solution to furthering African interest in the mining section.
Photo by: Bruce Gilbert
The closed-door discussions were lively and rich thanks to the diversity of expertise and perspectives in the room. We thank the various groups that were represented in these discussion including representatives of African nation missions to the United Nations (Malawi, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, South Africa, and Algeria), Afrika Rising, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, Carnegie Corporation of New York, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Center on International Cooperation (CIC) at NYU, Julien J. Studley Graduate Programs in International Affairs at The New School, and the International Peace Institute (IPI).
The Africa Center and IGP also presented the public session, “Critical Minerals, Critical Choices: Trends in African Mining,” which explored the cutting-edge trends, technologies, and initiatives driving African-led innovation in the mining sector today.
While discussions on Africa’s critical minerals often focus on the challenges, institutions, researchers, industry leaders, and innovators continue to reshape the future of the continent’s mining sector. From national refining strategies to eco-mining, panelists addressed how Africa can capture greater value, strengthen sovereignty over its minerals, and shift from a supplier of raw materials to a setter of global standards.
Ambassador Martin Kimani, President and CEO of The Africa Center, moderated the discussion with experts at the forefront of this movement, including:
Grace Akinyi, CEO of Women in Mining Kenya and Eco Mining Impact Innovations & Technologies.
Omid Ameri, Managing Director of Woodcross Resources in Uganda.
Artak Melkonyan, Senior Advisor for PE Finance and Funds, Global Lead, UNDP Impact Venture Accelerators.
Jason Bordoff, Professor of Professional Practice, Founding Director of the Center on Global Energy Policy, and IGP Faculty Advisory Board Member, Columbia SIPA; and Cofounding Dean of Columbia Climate School.
Colin Coleman, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council’s Africa Center; former CEO of sub-Saharan Africa at Goldman Sachs; and Former Adjunct Professor at Columbia Business School.
You can view the public panel session in its entirety here.