High-Level Dialogue: Turning Mineral Wealth into Negotiating Power: Africa and Critical Minerals Supply Chains

On the sidelines of the G20 Summit in South Africa

November 10, 2025

Collage of international logos with a banner on mineral wealth and supply security. — UNDP Critical Minerals Event

UNDP

Event Details

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with Open Society Foundations (OSF), will host a High-Level Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on “Turning Mineral Wealth into Negotiating Power: Africa and Critical Minerals Supply Chains.”Members of the media are invited to cover the event.

Date: Thursday, 13 November 2025
Time: 08:30 – 13:00
Venue: Seven Villa Hotel and Spa, 160 Helen Road, Strathavon, Sandton, Johannesburg

Why the Dialogue Matters

On the sidelines of the G20 Summit in South Africa, this dialogue brings together senior African policymakers, international organisations, researchers, and civil society to examine a critical question:

How can Africa transform its mineral wealth into sustainable industrial and economic power?

The dialogue leverages the G20 platform in South Africa to build a common African narrative on critical minerals and consolidate a global Africa agenda for equitable benefits. As global powers compete for minerals essential to clean energy, digital technologies, defence, and space innovation, Africa is at the centre of a major geopolitical contest. This event offers the media exclusive insights and expert perspectives on Africa’s strategy to convert its resource wealth into inclusive, long-term development.

Key Themes for Discussion

Geopolitics of critical minerals
Resource extractivism versus beneficiation
Mineral resource governance in Africa
Advancing industrialisation and collective bargaining by African producer states

Expected Participants

African governments, regional institutions (African Union, UNDP, and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa), think tanks, civil society, and South African government departments (Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Industrial Development Corporation, Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, and Department of Trade, Industry and Competition).