European efforts to secure strategic supply chains for the energy transition have intensified in recent months. November 2025 saw major changes with the signing of a landmark agreement between the European Union and South Africa. Instead of exporting raw stones, African countries and European partners will focus on processing and adding value on African soil. The agreement is one of the clearest signs of a renewed EU-Africa resource strategy, reshaping long-standing supply chain dynamics.
Under the agreement, the EU commits to €750 million in new investments through the Global Gateway Program, directing funds to infrastructure, clean energy deployment and industrialization projects in Africa. South Africa’s plan calls for extracted minerals to be processed domestically and for exported raw materials to leave the continent as refined metals or precursor components rather than raw ore.
At the same time, structural changes in key supply centers such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo signal changing market dynamics. The country’s state-owned mining company recently formed a joint venture with Swiss multinational Mercuria Energy Trading to improve transparency, control and value retention of copper, cobalt and other critical mineral production. The move reflects growing pressure on resource-rich countries to move away from the traditional model of exporting raw materials while minimizing domestic profits.
These developments come against a backdrop of soaring global demand for battery metals, rare earths and other critical minerals essential for electric vehicles, renewable energy, digital technologies and green infrastructure. It is a strategic imperative for Europe to diversify and break away from dependence on a small number of processing bases, many of which are concentrated in Asia. The promise for Africa is industrialization, job creation, technology transfer and a more equitable distribution of the world’s mineral value.
But this change is not purely about economics or security of supply. It also reflects a growing recognition on both sides of the Mediterranean that sustainable development, clean energy transition and long-term resilience require deeper cooperation. The new EU-Africa minerals partnership will integrate refining and processing capacity with clean energy infrastructure and broader industrial planning, aligning resource strategy with climate, trade and development policy objectives.
Discussions on the Africa-Europe Partnership in the Age of Critical Minerals, scheduled for the 2026 edition of the Africa Energy Investment (IAE) Forum in Paris, will take place at a time when policy, financial and industry intentions are beginning to align, but actual implementation remains uncertain. Important questions remain. The key is how to structure offtake contracts that balance risk and reward fairly. Which financing models can scale capacity while ensuring sustainability? And what kind of regulatory framework can support transparent, accountable, and climate-smart mineral value chains?
IAE 2026 provides a timely forum to address these challenges by bringing together African governments, European regulators and private investors. This has the potential to turn high-level commitments into actionable roadmaps, outlining concrete pathways for refining, precursor manufacturing, clean energy integration, and export infrastructure.
IAE 2026 is a special forum aimed at connecting African energy markets with global investors and will serve as a key platform for deal-making in the lead-up to Africa Energy Week. Scheduled for April 22-23, 2026 in Paris, the event will offer participants two days of in-depth interaction with industry experts, project developers, investors and policy makers. For more information, please visit www.invest-africa-energy.com. To become a sponsor or register as a representative, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.
