This November, thousands of commodity traders from across Africa and around the world will gather in Cape Town for the International Commodity Summit 2025 (ICS2025). With more than 500,000 commodity traders active in Africa, and that number expected to rise to more than 1 million by 2030, the summit comes at a critical juncture.
Global industrial demand, technological innovation, and market volatility are all contributing to the global boom in commodity trading. As supply chains come under increasing pressure from the energy transition, climate change and geopolitical conflict, traders are stepping in to manage risk and ensure access to critical resources.
Demand for minerals such as copper, lithium and cobalt is increasing in emerging countries, particularly in Asia and Africa, and a new generation of players is entering the market as digitalization lowers barriers to entry.
At the beginning of 2025, the prices of some goods increased, but then the prices of many goods decreased due to several causes, such as the global economic downturn and abundant supply.
Nevertheless, global trading volumes are also increasing as institutional investors use commodities as a hedge against inflation and uncertainty. With mining at the center of this dynamic, these forces are working together to change the face of global commodity trading.
Africa’s role in global commodity markets expands into mining, energy and agriculture
This increase reflects Africa’s growing presence in global primary commodity markets, including metals, agriculture and energy sectors. The continent’s diverse trade networks connect its rich natural resources with consumers around the world, from oil traders in Nigeria to lithium brokers in Zimbabwe and cocoa exporters in Ivory Coast.
Today’s African commodity traders are dynamic, tech-savvy businessmen and women who leverage fintech tools, satellite data and WhatsApp to negotiate contracts in real time. It represents a new era of trade, with traders quickly adapting to different products and markets, going beyond traditional approaches.
ICS2025 opens access to cross-border trade and mining supply chains
ICS2025 will remove financial barriers and facilitate cross-border business by providing free entry to all African exporters to facilitate this evolution. Registration prices for international buyers and institutional investors range from $250 to $450, ensuring a professional and focused environment.
“The 2025 International Commodities Summit is more than just a conference, it is a marketplace for Africa’s future,” said Cherrylee Samson, vice president of Lark.
“Providing African commodity traders with direct access to international buyers will enable the mining, energy and agriculture sectors to realize previously unprecedented levels of value.”
ICS2025 will bring together thousands of African certified traders, buyers from over 40 countries, government authorities, commodity exchanges, trade financiers, logistics and compliance professionals and more over three days. This summit will address the persistent problem of connecting buyers and trusted suppliers in Africa’s dispersed markets. This summit will accelerate deal closing by centralizing procurement and validation, saving money and time for everyone involved.
African commodity traders are making more money and formalizing faster
Africa’s commodity traders are vital to the economy, as incomes vary by industry. Metals and mineral traders can earn between $75,000 and $250,000 per year, while agricultural products traders typically earn between $3,000 and $50,000.
Major contracts in the energy sector, particularly gas and oil, can potentially pay up to $500,000 to energy contractors. Revenues are expected to increase once traders become formally active and gain access to platforms such as AfCFTA and regional exchanges.
Seyi Kumapay, executive director of Access Bank plc’s Africa office, says the problem is a lack of access to information and a lack of trust between the continent’s trading partners. Along with the lack of access to appropriately priced finance, these are three key obstacles that still must be addressed if Africa’s trade is to make significant progress.
“How do you strengthen the finances for someone in Ghana to buy things from someone in Cameroon? This issue of access to capital is a major impediment to trade in Africa,” he said.
“What is needed is a financial services sector that gives businesses access to capital to invest in growth and innovation, and the capacity they need to take their business to other countries. It is up to African banks to create the solutions.”
ICS2025 supports formalization, investment and economic sovereignty
The 2025 International Commodities Summit envisions bringing together traders to stabilize markets, create jobs, and build nations. The summit, in partnership with governments, development banks and international organizations, aims to increase access to financing, training and trade flows to transform unorganized traders into internationally renowned exporters.
“Africa’s economic independence could be advanced by 2030 if billions of dollars in export earnings are generated through digitalization and regional integration. The summit aims to accelerate that process,” Samson said.
